This is a widely held belief in certain circles that sharing custody a canine companion post-separation is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such arrangements impede ex-partners from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for all parties. As it turns out, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to become depressed.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of our pets – pet parents attest to their remarkable empathy. For a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, consider another performance. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adapting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on this conflict holds water is a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by the writing duo and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than its premise. This is a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions remains surface-level. The narrative is destined to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – featuring a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – exemplified by fake snow piled on verdant foliage as North Carolina doubles as a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these standard ingredients merge into a pleasant experience hinges on the execution and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who seek out for pet content. It provides a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the canine star, and though it results in some clunky cuts between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise is not earned for the interpersonal drama. Its style wavers between relationship drama, zany antics, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, not quite landing a consistent feel. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe demanded of the unusual premise. His performance contains a charming humility that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal seems a little too aloof, especially when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, the canine performer succeeds in flopping and whining – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, since the dog is easily the best part of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The reason for their original breakup could have been more adult and realistic with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling every expected note. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – but I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
