This is a widely held belief for numerous people that sharing custody a pet post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such arrangements impede ex-partners from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. As it turns out, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
While respecting the mental health of our pets – pet parents speak of their remarkable empathy. To witness a standout portrayal in pet despair, one need only look a past film. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would struggle coping with divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom around this situation works effectively is rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and helmed by director Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than its premise. It functions as a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions are modest. Its storyline unfolds as uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as the usual assortment of types. Visually carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – think flurries clinging to lush pines as a summer location doubles as a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
How these standard ingredients coalesce into something enjoyable depends on the execution and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who browse regularly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is Merv himself, and even if it causes some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, dog depression, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The film's approach wavers between relationship drama, broad humor, formulaic romance, and silly gags, never fully committing to any one mode. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe required by the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna seems a bit too dry, especially when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, the canine performer is convincing at acting depressed – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to give weight to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, considering the dog is undoubtedly the best part of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for the split could have been more adult and realistic with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – though it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video this December.
