It is a widely held belief for numerous people that sharing custody a canine companion post-separation is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such situations impede individuals from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and become annoying for all parties. Apparently, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to become depressed.
While respecting the emotional well-being of dogs – pet parents observe their profound sensitivity. If you need masterclass in dog sorrow, consider a past film. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adapting to divided living arrangements. If this concept a full holiday film on such a setup works effectively seems a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by its screenwriters and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than its premise. This is a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth are modest. Its storyline unfolds as uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by fake snow piled on verdant foliage as North Carolina doubles as the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
How these standard ingredients come together into a pleasant experience rests upon the actors' work and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who scroll endlessly for pet content. It provides a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the dog, and even if it causes some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie delivers on walking sequences, pet moping, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. Its style wavers between relationship drama, zany antics, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, failing to master any one mode. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward demanded of the unusual premise. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. The character comes across as a bit too dry, especially when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Gus the Dog is convincing at looking despondent – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains an excellent dog.)
The story strives to add substance to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, since Merv is undoubtedly the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their original breakup could have been more grounded and mature with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – even if I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video this December.
