This is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that sharing custody a dog post-separation is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such situations impede individuals from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. As it turns out, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to become depressed.
Not to downplay the inner life of our pets – many owners observe their deep emotional capacity. If you need prime example in canine melancholy, one need only look another performance. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adapting to life in two homes. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance around this situation is sustainable remains rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than a light film. This is a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity are modest. The plot is destined to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – featuring a group of comedic actors – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look has the quality of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – think flurries surrounding lush pines as a summer location doubles as a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
How these predictable parts coalesce into something enjoyable rests upon the execution and one's taste for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who browse regularly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, dog depression, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness is not earned for the romantic plot. Its style vacillates between relationship drama, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and silly gags, never fully committing to a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is fully game the silliness and cringe demanded of the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a charming humility that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal can feel a little too aloof, especially when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, the canine performer manages acting depressed – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still an excellent dog.)
The story strives to provide depth to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, since the dog is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their original breakup would feel more adult and realistic with less exposition and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting every expected note. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting is not terrible – even if it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video this December.
