It is a common warning for numerous people that sharing custody a canine companion post-separation is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such setups impede ex-partners from healing, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. Apparently, as a development suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to feel down.
While respecting the emotional well-being of dogs – countless people attest to their profound sensitivity. If you need prime example in canine melancholy, consider recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adjusting to divided living arrangements. If this concept a feature-length romcom on this conflict holds water seems a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than its premise. We have here a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity are modest. The narrative is destined to be straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – as seen in obvious snow effects clinging to green trees as a summer location doubles as a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
If these predictable parts come together into a pleasant experience rests upon the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – individuals who browse regularly for dog videos. It provides a series of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the canine star, and even if it causes some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, dog depression, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The film's approach wavers between serious study, zany antics, formulaic romance, and silly gags, not quite landing a single genre. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the humiliating and funny inherent in the bizarre setting. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that provides much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna comes across as a bit too dry, notably when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, the canine performer is convincing at looking despondent – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to add substance to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, since Merv is easily the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for the split would feel more adult and realistic with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Making a film on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – but it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
