This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that sharing custody a pet following a split is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such situations hinder former couples from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. As it turns out, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to experience sadness.
While respecting the emotional well-being of our pets – pet parents speak of their profound sensitivity. If you need standout portrayal in pet despair, one need only look another performance. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adjusting to split households. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on this conflict works effectively is a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by the writing duo and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than what it is. It functions as a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the depth is limited. Its storyline unfolds as straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – played by familiar faces – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – exemplified by flurries clinging to verdant foliage as North Carolina doubles as the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these predictable parts merge into a pleasant experience depends on the execution and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – the kind who scroll endlessly for pet content. It provides a series of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the canine star, and though it results in some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness does not extend for the interpersonal drama. Its style vacillates between emotional depth, broad humor, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, failing to master a consistent feel. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is fully game the absurd and awkward demanded of the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that supplies much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal seems a little too aloof, especially when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, the canine performer succeeds in acting depressed – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a very good boy.)
Merv tries to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, since the title character is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for the split would feel more nuanced with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, 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 this December.
