It is a widely held belief for numerous people that sharing custody a pet following a split is a terrible idea. Most will argue such setups hinder individuals from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for all parties. As it turns out, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to become depressed.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of animals – pet parents observe their profound sensitivity. To witness a standout portrayal in pet despair, consider a past film. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix played by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adapting to life in two homes. If this concept an entire Christmas romance around this situation is sustainable remains rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, written by its screenwriters and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than a light film. We have here a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the depth are modest. Its storyline unfolds as simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Visually has the quality of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – think obvious snow effects clinging to verdant foliage as a warm climate doubles as a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these standard ingredients coalesce into an entertaining watch rests upon the execution and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who seek out for dog videos. Audiences receive a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the dog, and even if it causes some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie does offer walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
This level of success cannot be applied for the romantic plot. Its style vacillates between serious study, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a consistent feel. This is not Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny demanded of the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna can feel a touch too detached, especially when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, the canine performer manages flopping and whining – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The story strives to add substance to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, given that the dog is by far the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for the split would feel more nuanced with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting all its marks. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise has potential – though it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video this December.
