This is a widely held belief for numerous people that sharing custody a dog following a split is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such setups hinder ex-partners from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. As it turns out, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it also makes our furry friends to feel down.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of dogs – countless people attest to their deep emotional capacity. If you need standout portrayal in pet despair, simply recall recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by Gus the Dog, would struggle adjusting to life in two homes. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on this conflict works effectively remains a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and helmed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than a light film. This is a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity is limited. The narrative proves to be straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will presumably realize the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – played by familiar faces – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – think fake snow surrounding green trees as a warm climate doubles as the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
If these predictable parts coalesce into something enjoyable hinges on the execution and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who seek out for cute animal clips. It provides a plethora of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is Merv himself, and though it results in some stilted moments between animal action and human reaction, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, dog depression, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise does not extend for the human side of the story. The film's approach shifts uneasily between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, never fully committing to 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 charming humility that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal comes across as a little too aloof, especially when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, the canine performer manages looking despondent – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The story strives to provide depth to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, since the title character is by far the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The cause for their original breakup would feel more grounded and mature with less exposition and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – though it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
