It is a common warning in certain circles that sharing custody a pet following a split is ill-advised. Most will argue such arrangements hinder former couples from moving forward, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Seemingly, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to feel down.
Not to downplay the mental health of dogs – pet parents attest to their deep emotional capacity. To witness a prime example in canine melancholy, consider recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog played by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult coping with life in two homes. If this concept a full holiday film on this conflict works effectively is rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, written by its screenwriters and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than its premise. It functions as a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the ambitions is limited. The narrative proves to be uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – including familiar faces – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – think fake snow piled on verdant foliage as a summer location substitutes for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
If these familiar elements merge into something enjoyable rests upon the actors' work and an acceptance of easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who scroll endlessly for dog videos. Audiences receive a plethora of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the canine star, and while this leads to some awkward editing between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach wavers between emotional depth, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, failing to master a consistent feel. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny demanded of the unusual premise. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that supplies much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. The character comes across as a bit too dry, especially when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, the canine performer manages looking despondent – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to add substance to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, considering the title character is by far the best part of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their original breakup might seem more nuanced with less exposition and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – though it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform this December.
