It is a common warning for numerous people that sharing custody a dog following a split is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such arrangements impede former couples from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance across the board. As it turns out, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to experience sadness.
While respecting the inner life of our pets – countless people speak of their remarkable empathy. If you need prime example in canine melancholy, one need only look another performance. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to life in two homes. If this concept a full holiday film on this conflict holds water seems a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, written by its screenwriters and helmed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than a light film. It functions as a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity are modest. The narrative proves to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will surely realize the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – including a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by fake snow piled on lush pines as North Carolina stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these familiar elements coalesce into a pleasant experience depends on the execution and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who browse regularly for pet content. Audiences receive a series of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is Merv himself, and even if it causes some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie delivers on walking sequences, pet moping, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
The same praise does not extend for the human side of the story. The tone vacillates between serious study, broad humor, predictable love story, and silly gags, not quite landing a single genre. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe inherent in the dog resort scenario. He brings a likable self-deprecation that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna can feel a little too aloof, notably when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Merv himself succeeds in acting depressed – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, 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, given that the dog is by far the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. 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, fulfilling every expected note. Making a film on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – though it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform this December.
