It is a common warning among many that sharing custody a dog following a split is ill-advised. Most will argue such situations hinder ex-partners from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and become annoying for all parties. Seemingly, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to experience sadness.
While respecting the mental health of our pets – countless people speak of their profound sensitivity. If you need prime example in pet despair, simply recall a past film. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time coping with split households. Whether this premise a full holiday film around this situation holds water is debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, written by the writing duo and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. This is a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions is limited. The narrative proves to be straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will presumably realize the idea that they are better together. Side characters – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – exemplified by obvious snow effects clinging to verdant foliage as a summer location doubles as the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these familiar elements merge into an entertaining watch rests upon the execution and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who browse regularly for pet content. The film delivers a series of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is Merv himself, and while this leads to some stilted moments between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, dog depression, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness is not earned for the human side of the story. Its style vacillates between relationship drama, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a single genre. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward inherent in the unusual premise. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. The character comes across as a touch too detached, especially when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, the canine performer manages flopping and whining – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The story strives to give weight to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, given that the dog is by far the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their original breakup would feel more nuanced with less exposition and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting every expected note. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise has potential – but it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform this December.
