It is a common warning for numerous people that sharing custody a dog following a split is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such arrangements prevent former couples from healing, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for all parties. Apparently, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to feel down.
Without minimizing the mental health of animals – many owners attest to their deep emotional capacity. To witness a masterclass in pet despair, consider a past film. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adapting to life in two homes. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on such a setup holds water is a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. This is a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity are modest. Its storyline proves to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – including familiar faces – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Visually has the quality of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – as seen in obvious snow effects piled on green trees as a warm climate doubles as the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
How these predictable parts merge into something enjoyable depends on the execution and an acceptance of easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who scroll endlessly for pet content. The film delivers a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the dog, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between animal action and human reaction, the movie does offer walking sequences, pet moping, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach wavers between relationship drama, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and silly gags, not quite landing a single genre. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward inherent in the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a charming humility that offers much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna seems a touch too detached, notably when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, the canine performer manages acting depressed – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains an excellent dog.)
The story strives to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, since the dog is easily the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for the split would feel more grounded and mature with less exposition and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, meeting all its marks. Making a film about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – even if it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform this December.
