This is a widely held belief among many that jointly caring for a pet following a split is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such situations prevent former couples from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Seemingly, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to feel down.
While respecting the inner life of animals – countless people speak of their remarkable empathy. If you need prime example in pet despair, consider recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time coping with divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a full holiday film around this situation is sustainable remains rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than its premise. It functions as a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity are modest. Its storyline proves to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as the usual assortment of types. The film's look is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – think flurries clinging to verdant foliage as a warm climate stands in for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these predictable parts coalesce into something enjoyable depends on the execution and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who scroll endlessly for dog videos. The film delivers a series of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is Merv himself, and even if it causes some stilted moments between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness is not earned for the romantic plot. Its style wavers between relationship drama, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, not quite landing any one mode. This is not Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny required by the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that supplies much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. The character comes across as a bit too dry, especially when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog is convincing at acting depressed – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, since the dog is by far the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for the split would feel more adult and realistic with more screen time and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise has potential – even if I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv streams on Prime Video on December 10th.
