It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that sharing custody a pet post-separation is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such setups prevent ex-partners from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for all parties. Apparently, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to become depressed.
Not to downplay the inner life of dogs – pet parents attest to their deep emotional capacity. To witness a prime example in canine melancholy, simply recall recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time coping with life in two homes. The idea of basing a full holiday film around this situation works effectively remains rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of the writing duo and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than what it is. We have here a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth remains surface-level. The narrative unfolds as straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will presumably realize the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – including a group of comedic actors – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic has the quality of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – exemplified by obvious snow effects surrounding verdant foliage as a warm climate doubles as a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
How these standard ingredients coalesce into something enjoyable rests upon the execution and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – the kind who browse regularly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a series of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the canine star, and even if it causes some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie does offer dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success is not earned for the human side of the story. The film's approach wavers between relationship drama, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, failing to master any one mode. This is not Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward demanded of the unusual premise. He brings a endearing lack of ego that supplies much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna can feel a bit too dry, notably when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog succeeds in looking despondent – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a very good boy.)
The film attempts to add substance to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, given that the dog is by far the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their original breakup could have been more adult and realistic with less exposition and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting all its marks. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – even if I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video this December.
