This is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that sharing custody a canine companion following a split is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such situations impede individuals from healing, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. As it turns out, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to become depressed.
While respecting the emotional well-being of dogs – many owners attest to their profound sensitivity. For a prime example in pet despair, one need only look a past film. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would struggle coping with split households. If this concept a full holiday film around this situation works effectively is debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and directed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than its premise. We have here a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth are modest. The plot proves to be straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will surely realize the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – as seen in fake snow clinging to lush pines as a summer location substitutes for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
If these familiar elements merge into a pleasant experience rests upon the actors' work and one's taste for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – those people who browse regularly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the canine star, and though it results in some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise is not earned for the interpersonal drama. Its style vacillates between emotional depth, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe demanded of the bizarre setting. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna can feel a little too aloof, notably when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Merv himself manages flopping and whining – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a very good boy.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, considering Merv is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for the split could have been more grounded and mature with more screen time and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – even if it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
