It is a common warning among many that sharing custody a pet post-separation is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such situations prevent ex-partners from finding closure, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating across the board. Apparently, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to experience sadness.
While respecting the emotional well-being of our pets – countless people speak of their remarkable empathy. If you need masterclass in pet despair, one need only look another performance. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult coping with divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a full holiday film on this conflict holds water seems rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than what it is. It functions as a holiday release from a corporate studio – the complexity are modest. The plot is destined to be straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – played by familiar faces – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by obvious snow effects clinging to green trees as a warm climate doubles as the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
If these predictable parts come together into an entertaining watch depends on the strength of the performances and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who scroll endlessly for dog videos. The film delivers a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the canine star, and though it results in some clunky cuts between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie delivers on canine party antics, pet moping, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
The same praise is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The tone vacillates between serious study, broad humor, predictable love story, and silly gags, failing to master a consistent feel. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the absurd and awkward inherent in the bizarre setting. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna can feel a little too aloof, notably when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Gus the Dog manages acting depressed – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a very good boy.)
Merv tries to add substance to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, considering Merv is by far the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their original breakup could have been more nuanced with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting every expected note. Making a film about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – though I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform this December.
