This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that sharing custody a pet following a split is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such arrangements prevent former couples from finding closure, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for all parties. Seemingly, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to become depressed.
While respecting the mental health of dogs – many owners observe their profound sensitivity. If you need prime example in pet despair, consider a past film. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would struggle coping with life in two homes. The idea of basing a full holiday film around this situation works effectively remains rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than what it is. It functions as a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the ambitions is limited. The plot is destined to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – played by familiar faces – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by flurries clinging to lush pines as a summer location doubles as the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
How these familiar elements merge into an entertaining watch hinges on the strength of the performances and one's taste for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who seek out for dog videos. Audiences receive a series of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the canine star, and even if it causes some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
The same praise does not extend for the human side of the story. Its style shifts uneasily between relationship drama, broad humor, predictable love story, and silly gags, failing to master a single genre. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny required by the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that supplies much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. The character comes across as a little too aloof, notably when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog is convincing at flopping and whining – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains an excellent dog.)
The story strives to add substance to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, considering the title character is by far the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their separation would feel more grounded and mature with less exposition and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting every expected note. Making a film on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – though it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
