It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that sharing custody a canine companion following a split is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such arrangements hinder ex-partners from finding closure, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. As it turns out, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of animals – pet parents speak of their deep emotional capacity. To witness a masterclass in dog sorrow, one need only look a past film. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to divided living arrangements. If this concept a full holiday film on such a setup holds water seems a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by the writing duo and helmed by director Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than a light film. This is a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth is limited. The plot is destined to be straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – featuring familiar faces – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – think fake snow piled on green trees as a summer location stands in for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
If these familiar elements merge into an entertaining watch hinges on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – individuals who browse regularly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the canine star, and even if it causes some awkward editing between animal action and people's faces, the movie delivers on canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The tone shifts uneasily between relationship drama, zany antics, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, failing to master a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe required by the bizarre setting. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. The character can feel a little too aloof, particularly when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog is convincing at flopping and whining – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, given that Merv is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The cause for their original breakup could have been more adult and realistic with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling every expected note. Making a film on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – even if it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video this December.
