This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that sharing custody a pet following a split is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such setups impede ex-partners from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance across the board. Apparently, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to feel down.
While respecting the mental health of animals – many owners speak of their remarkable empathy. If you need masterclass in canine melancholy, consider recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle coping with life in two homes. If this concept a full holiday film on this conflict works effectively is debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, written by the writing duo and directed by director Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than its premise. This is a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the complexity are modest. The plot is destined to be straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they are better together. Side characters – featuring a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – think obvious snow effects surrounding lush pines as a summer location substitutes for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
How these predictable parts merge into something enjoyable hinges on the execution and one's taste for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – individuals who seek out for pet content. The film delivers a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is Merv himself, and though it results in some awkward editing between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, dog depression, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach wavers between emotional depth, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, not quite landing a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is fully game the silliness and cringe demanded of the unusual premise. He brings a likable self-deprecation that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal can feel a little too aloof, particularly when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, the canine performer is convincing at flopping and whining – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, given that the dog is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The reason for the split could have been more nuanced with more screen time and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film about dog co-parenting has potential – but it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
