This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that sharing custody a canine companion following a split is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such arrangements hinder former couples from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and prove frustrating across the board. Apparently, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it also makes our furry friends to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the inner life of dogs – countless people observe their deep emotional capacity. If you need masterclass in pet despair, simply recall a past film. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adapting to life in two homes. Whether this premise a full holiday film around this situation holds water remains rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than a light film. We have here a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth is limited. Its storyline unfolds as simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. 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 – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – as seen in flurries clinging to verdant foliage as a summer location stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
How these predictable parts merge into a pleasant experience hinges on the execution and one's taste for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who browse regularly for pet content. It provides a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the dog, and though it results in some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, dog depression, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise does not extend for the human side of the story. Its style vacillates between emotional depth, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and physical comedy, not quite landing a single genre. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward demanded of the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal can feel a bit too dry, notably when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Merv himself manages looking despondent – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to add substance to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, given that the dog is easily the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their separation might seem more grounded and mature with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling every expected note. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – even if I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
