This is a common warning for numerous people that sharing custody a dog following a split is ill-advised. Most will argue such arrangements prevent individuals from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and become annoying for everyone involved. As it turns out, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the mental health of dogs – pet parents attest to their remarkable empathy. If you need masterclass in dog sorrow, consider a past film. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adapting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a full holiday film around this situation holds water is debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than a light film. We have here a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the depth is limited. Its storyline is destined to be simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – played by familiar faces – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually is reminiscent of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – as seen in obvious snow effects surrounding verdant foliage as North Carolina doubles as a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these familiar elements merge into a pleasant experience depends on the execution and an acceptance of easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who seek out for pet content. The film delivers a wealth of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is Merv himself, and though it results in some stilted moments between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, dog depression, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise is not earned for the romantic plot. Its style wavers between relationship drama, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, not quite landing a consistent feel. This is not Charlie Cox, who is fully game the humiliating and funny inherent in the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal seems a bit too dry, notably when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Merv himself manages acting depressed – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a very good boy.)
The film attempts to give weight to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, considering Merv is easily the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their original breakup would feel more grounded and mature with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, meeting all its marks. Crafting a story with this canine conflict is not terrible – even if it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform this December.
