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 situations hinder ex-partners from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and become annoying for all parties. Seemingly, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it also makes our furry friends to experience sadness.
While respecting the mental health of dogs – many owners attest to their deep emotional capacity. To witness a masterclass in canine melancholy, consider another performance. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult coping with split households. The idea of basing a full holiday film on this conflict works effectively seems debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by the writing duo and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than what it is. We have here a holiday release from a corporate studio – the depth is limited. The narrative unfolds as uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will presumably realize the idea that they are better together. Side characters – featuring a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – think flurries surrounding lush pines as North Carolina stands in for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
How these familiar elements merge into an entertaining watch rests upon the strength of the performances and one's taste for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who seek out for cute animal clips. The film delivers a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the dog, and while this leads to some awkward editing between animal action and people's faces, the movie delivers on walking sequences, dog depression, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
This level of success is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The tone wavers between relationship drama, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a consistent feel. This is not Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward demanded of the dog resort scenario. He brings a endearing lack of ego that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna can feel a little too aloof, especially when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, the canine performer succeeds in looking despondent – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a very good boy.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, given that Merv is undoubtedly the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The cause for their original breakup would feel more grounded and mature with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting all its marks. Making a film on this shared-custody premise has potential – even if it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform this December.
