This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that sharing custody a canine companion post-separation is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such arrangements prevent individuals from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, 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 canine in question to feel down.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of our pets – many owners observe their remarkable empathy. To witness a standout portrayal in pet despair, simply recall another performance. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog played by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time coping with life in two homes. Whether this premise a full holiday film on this conflict is sustainable is debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and helmed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than a light film. This is a holiday release from a corporate studio – the complexity is limited. Its storyline unfolds as uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look is reminiscent of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – as seen in fake snow surrounding verdant foliage as a summer location stands in for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these standard ingredients come together into a pleasant experience rests upon the execution and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – the kind who scroll endlessly for pet content. Audiences receive a series of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the canine star, and even if it causes some stilted moments between animal action and people's faces, the movie does offer dog beach fun, dog depression, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness is not earned for the romantic plot. The film's approach wavers between emotional depth, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a consistent feel. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward required by the bizarre setting. His performance contains a charming humility that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. The character seems a bit too dry, particularly when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog is convincing at flopping and whining – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a very good boy.)
The story strives to give weight to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, given that Merv is easily the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their original breakup could have been more nuanced with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – though it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
