It is a widely held belief among many that sharing custody a canine companion following a split is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such situations hinder former couples from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for all parties. Apparently, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes our furry friends to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the inner life of our pets – countless people attest to their deep emotional capacity. If you need prime example in canine melancholy, consider another performance. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time coping with divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a full holiday film around this situation holds water is debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by the writing duo and directed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than a light film. It functions as a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the depth remains surface-level. Its storyline is destined to be straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Visually is reminiscent of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – think flurries piled on lush pines as a summer location stands in for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
How these predictable parts coalesce into an entertaining watch rests upon the actors' work and one's taste for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who scroll endlessly for pet content. It provides a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the canine star, and though it results in some awkward editing between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie does offer canine party antics, dog depression, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness does not extend for the romantic plot. The film's approach shifts uneasily between relationship drama, broad humor, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, not quite landing a single genre. This is not Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny required by the unusual premise. His performance contains a charming humility that offers much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her Anna seems a bit too dry, particularly when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog is convincing at flopping and whining – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, since Merv is easily the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their original breakup could have been more adult and realistic with more screen time and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – though it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.