It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that sharing custody a pet after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such arrangements hinder individuals from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating across the board. Apparently, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to feel down.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of dogs – countless people speak of their deep emotional capacity. If you need masterclass in pet despair, consider a past film. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adapting to life in two homes. The idea of basing a full holiday film around this situation holds water seems a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, written by the writing duo and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than what it is. This is a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth is limited. The plot unfolds as simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – including familiar faces – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually has the quality of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – as seen in fake snow piled on green trees as a summer location substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
How these familiar elements come together into a pleasant experience depends on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – those people who browse regularly for pet content. Audiences receive a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is Merv himself, and though it results in some stilted moments between animal action and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, pet moping, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach vacillates between relationship drama, zany antics, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, failing to master any one mode. This is not Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward demanded of the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her Anna can feel a little too aloof, especially when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Merv himself manages looking despondent – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a very good boy.)
The story strives to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, given that the title character is by far the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their original breakup would feel more grounded and mature with less exposition and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film about dog co-parenting has potential – but it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video this December.
