This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that sharing custody a pet following a split is a terrible idea. Most will argue such situations hinder former couples from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance across the board. Apparently, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to feel down.
Without minimizing the mental health of dogs – countless people attest to their remarkable empathy. If you need standout portrayal in pet despair, one need only look a past film. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog played by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on such a setup works effectively remains a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, written by its screenwriters and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than what it is. This is a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions is limited. Its storyline is destined to be uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – featuring a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic has the quality of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by flurries piled on verdant foliage as a warm climate doubles as the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these predictable parts coalesce into an entertaining watch rests upon the actors' work and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who seek out for cute animal clips. The film delivers a series of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the dog, and even if it causes some awkward editing between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach shifts uneasily between emotional depth, broad humor, predictable love story, and physical comedy, failing to master any one mode. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny demanded of the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a charming humility that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. The character seems a little too aloof, particularly when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog is convincing at acting depressed – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to give weight to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, given that the title character is easily the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for the split would feel more nuanced with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – though it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video on December 10th.
