It is a common warning among many that sharing custody a pet post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such setups hinder individuals from moving forward, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and prove frustrating across the board. Seemingly, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to feel down.
Without minimizing the inner life of animals – many owners speak of their deep emotional capacity. For a masterclass in dog sorrow, one need only look recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adjusting to split households. The idea of basing a full holiday film on this conflict is sustainable is debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and directed by director Swale, never aspires to be deeper than its premise. This is a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions is limited. The narrative proves to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Side characters – featuring familiar faces – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Visually carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by obvious snow effects clinging to green trees as North Carolina stands in for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
If these standard ingredients merge into something enjoyable depends on the strength of the performances and one's taste for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who scroll endlessly for pet content. It provides a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the canine star, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, dog depression, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
This level of success cannot be applied for the romantic plot. Its style vacillates between relationship drama, zany antics, predictable love story, and physical comedy, failing to master a consistent feel. This is not Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe inherent in the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a charming humility that offers much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal seems a touch too detached, notably when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Merv himself is convincing at flopping and whining – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to add substance to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, given that the dog is by far the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their separation would feel more nuanced with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – even if I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
