This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that sharing custody a pet following a split is ill-advised. Most will argue such setups hinder ex-partners from moving forward, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating across the board. Seemingly, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to feel down.
Not to downplay the mental health of our pets – countless people observe their profound sensitivity. For a prime example in pet despair, consider a past film. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle coping with life in two homes. The idea of basing a full holiday film around this situation holds water remains rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and under the guidance of director Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than its premise. We have here a holiday release from a corporate studio – the depth are modest. The narrative proves to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – exemplified by obvious snow effects piled on verdant foliage as North Carolina doubles as the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these predictable parts coalesce into a pleasant experience rests upon the execution and an acceptance of easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – those people who browse regularly for pet content. The film delivers a wealth of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the canine star, and even if it causes some stilted moments between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie does offer dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The film's approach shifts uneasily between relationship drama, zany antics, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, failing to master a single genre. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is fully game the silliness and cringe inherent in the bizarre setting. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her Anna can feel a bit too dry, notably when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog is convincing at flopping and whining – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The film attempts to add substance to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, since Merv is easily the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their original breakup would feel more adult and realistic with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise has potential – though it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
