It is a common warning in certain circles that sharing custody a dog post-separation is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such situations prevent ex-partners from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for all parties. As it turns out, as a development worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the mental health of our pets – pet parents speak of their profound sensitivity. If you need prime example in canine melancholy, one need only look a past film. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adjusting to life in two homes. If this concept a full holiday film on such a setup works effectively seems rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, written by its screenwriters and helmed by director Swale, never aspires to be more profound than its premise. It functions as a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the depth are modest. Its storyline unfolds as simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will presumably realize the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – including a group of comedic actors – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look has the quality of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by fake snow piled on verdant foliage as a summer location doubles as a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
How these predictable parts coalesce into an entertaining watch hinges on the execution and one's taste for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – the kind who browse regularly for dog videos. Audiences receive a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is Merv himself, and while this leads to some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie does offer canine party antics, dog depression, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness does not extend for the romantic plot. The film's approach vacillates between serious study, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to any one mode. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward demanded of the unusual premise. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. The character can feel a touch too detached, notably when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, the canine performer is convincing at flopping and whining – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a very good boy.)
The story strives to add substance to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, given that the dog is easily the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for the split could have been more grounded and mature with less exposition and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting every expected note. Making a film on this shared-custody premise has potential – even if it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
