It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that sharing custody a pet after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such situations hinder individuals from finding closure, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for all parties. As it turns out, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to feel down.
While respecting the mental health of dogs – many owners attest to their profound sensitivity. For a masterclass in canine melancholy, one need only look another performance. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type played by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle coping with split households. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom around this situation works effectively seems debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. This is a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions is limited. Its storyline unfolds as simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will surely realize the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – played by familiar faces – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – as seen in fake snow piled on verdant foliage as a warm climate substitutes for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
How these predictable parts come together into an entertaining watch hinges on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – those people who seek out for pet content. It provides a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the dog, and even if it causes some awkward editing between animal action and human reaction, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness is not earned for the human side of the story. The tone wavers between relationship drama, broad humor, formulaic romance, and silly gags, failing to master a consistent feel. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny required by the unusual premise. He brings a charming humility that provides much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. The character can feel a little too aloof, particularly when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, the canine performer succeeds in flopping and whining – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to add substance to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, since the title character is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their separation might seem more adult and realistic with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling every expected note. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – but I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
