It is a common warning in certain circles that sharing custody a canine companion following a split is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such situations hinder former couples from moving forward, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and become annoying across the board. As it turns out, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Without minimizing the mental health of dogs – pet parents speak of their remarkable empathy. For a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, one need only look a past film. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adapting to divided living arrangements. If this concept a feature-length romcom around this situation holds water remains rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and helmed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than what it is. We have here a holiday release from a corporate studio – the ambitions are modest. The narrative is destined to be simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – including familiar faces – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. The film's look carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – think fake snow piled on verdant foliage as a warm climate doubles as a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
If these familiar elements coalesce into an entertaining watch hinges on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who seek out for cute animal clips. The film delivers a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the dog, and while this leads to some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie delivers on walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach wavers between relationship drama, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, not quite landing any one mode. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is fully game the humiliating and funny inherent in the bizarre setting. His performance contains a charming humility that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal can feel a bit too dry, especially when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Merv himself is convincing at looking despondent – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to add substance to the central romance 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. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The cause for their original breakup might seem more adult and realistic with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise has potential – but I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
