This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that sharing custody a canine companion following a split is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such setups prevent individuals from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and become annoying for all parties. Seemingly, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to feel down.
While respecting the mental health of our pets – pet parents attest to their profound sensitivity. If you need standout portrayal in pet despair, simply recall a past film. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type played by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adjusting to split households. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on such a setup is sustainable seems a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. We have here a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the complexity remains surface-level. The plot proves to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – including a group of comedic actors – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic has the quality of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – exemplified by obvious snow effects clinging to lush pines as a summer location substitutes for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
If these predictable parts come together into something enjoyable hinges on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who seek out for pet content. It provides a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is Merv himself, and though it results in some clunky cuts between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness is not earned for the interpersonal drama. Its style vacillates between serious study, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, failing to master a consistent feel. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward demanded of the unusual premise. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal seems a bit too dry, notably when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog is convincing at looking despondent – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, considering the title character is easily the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The reason for their separation might seem more nuanced with more screen time and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting every expected note. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – even if I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
