It is a common warning among many that sharing custody a dog following a split is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such situations hinder ex-partners from healing, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Seemingly, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to experience sadness.
While respecting the mental health of animals – many owners speak of their profound sensitivity. If you need standout portrayal in canine melancholy, one need only look another performance. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adjusting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a full holiday film on such a setup is sustainable remains debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than what it is. We have here a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity are modest. The plot unfolds as straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they are better together. Side characters – played by a group of comedic actors – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic has the quality of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by obvious snow effects surrounding lush pines as a summer location stands in for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these predictable parts merge into an entertaining watch rests upon the actors' work and one's taste for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who scroll endlessly for pet content. It provides a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the dog, and while this leads to some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, dog depression, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The tone wavers between relationship drama, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and silly gags, failing to master a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is fully game the silliness and cringe inherent in the bizarre setting. He brings a likable self-deprecation that provides much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal seems a touch too detached, especially when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog is convincing at flopping and whining – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to give weight to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, considering the title character is undoubtedly the best part of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The cause for their separation 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. Creating a movie 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.
