It is a widely held belief among many that jointly caring for a pet following a split is a terrible idea. Most will argue such arrangements prevent ex-partners from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. As it turns out, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to feel down.
While respecting the inner life of our pets – pet parents observe their profound sensitivity. If you need masterclass in dog sorrow, simply recall recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time coping with divided living arrangements. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on this conflict holds water is debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than what it is. This is a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the ambitions are modest. Its storyline is destined to be straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will presumably realize the idea that they are better together. Side characters – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Visually is reminiscent of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by flurries surrounding green trees as North Carolina substitutes for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
How these familiar elements come together into something enjoyable depends on the execution and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who seek out for cute animal clips. It provides a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the dog, and though it results in some awkward editing between animal action and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, pet moping, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The tone vacillates between serious study, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, not quite landing a consistent feel. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the humiliating and funny inherent in the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a charming humility that offers much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her Anna seems a little too aloof, notably when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog succeeds in flopping and whining – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, since the dog is by far the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for the split would feel more adult and realistic with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. 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 premieres on Amazon Prime Video this December.
