This is a widely held belief in certain circles that sharing custody a canine companion post-separation is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such arrangements impede individuals from moving forward, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and prove frustrating across the board. Apparently, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to feel down.
Without minimizing the inner life of our pets – many owners observe their profound sensitivity. If you need standout portrayal in pet despair, one need only look a past film. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a full holiday film on this conflict holds water seems a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than a light film. We have here a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the complexity are modest. The plot is destined to be simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as the usual assortment of types. Visually is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by fake snow piled on verdant foliage as North Carolina doubles as the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these predictable parts come together into an entertaining watch rests upon the actors' work and one's taste for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – individuals who browse regularly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is Merv himself, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie does offer dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The tone vacillates between relationship drama, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny required by the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna seems a little too aloof, notably when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog manages acting depressed – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to add substance to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, considering Merv is undoubtedly the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their original breakup could have been more grounded and mature with more screen time and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling all its marks. Making a film on this shared-custody premise has potential – even if it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
