It is a common warning in certain circles that sharing custody a canine companion after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such arrangements impede individuals from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and become annoying for everyone involved. Apparently, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the mental health of animals – pet parents observe their deep emotional capacity. For a prime example in pet despair, consider another performance. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by Gus the Dog, would struggle coping with divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom around this situation is sustainable seems rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than what it is. This is a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the complexity are modest. The plot proves to be uncomplicated: 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. At this location, predictably, they will surely realize the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – exemplified by flurries piled on lush pines as North Carolina stands in for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
How these standard ingredients merge into an entertaining watch depends on the actors' work and an acceptance of easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a plethora of adorable dog montages. The central draw is Merv himself, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, dog depression, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise does not extend for the romantic plot. The tone shifts uneasily between emotional depth, broad humor, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, failing to master a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny inherent in the dog resort scenario. He brings a endearing lack of ego that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal can feel a little too aloof, notably when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Merv himself is convincing at acting depressed – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still an excellent dog.)
The story strives to give weight to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, given that the dog is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for the split would feel more adult and realistic with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling all its marks. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – even if it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
