It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that sharing custody a dog following a split is ill-advised. Most will argue such setups hinder former couples from healing, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and become annoying across the board. Seemingly, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to become depressed.
While respecting the mental health of dogs – pet parents observe their remarkable empathy. For a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, simply recall recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adapting to split households. If this concept a full holiday film around this situation is sustainable is a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and under the guidance of director Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than its premise. We have here a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the complexity are modest. The plot is destined to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually has the quality of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – think obvious snow effects clinging to green trees as a summer location stands in for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
How these predictable parts coalesce into something enjoyable depends on the execution and one's taste for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – the kind who browse regularly for cute animal clips. It provides a plethora of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the dog, and while this leads to some stilted moments between animal action and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, pet moping, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
The same praise is not earned for the interpersonal drama. Its style shifts uneasily between relationship drama, zany antics, predictable love story, and physical comedy, failing to master a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is fully game the humiliating and funny demanded of the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a charming humility that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. The character can feel a little too aloof, particularly when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, the canine performer succeeds in looking despondent – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to provide depth to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, considering the title character is by far the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their original breakup might seem more grounded and mature with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – even if it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video this December.
