It is a common warning among many that sharing custody a pet after a breakup is a terrible idea. Most will argue such setups prevent individuals from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Seemingly, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
While respecting the emotional well-being of our pets – many owners speak of their remarkable empathy. To witness a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, simply recall recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adapting to life in two homes. Whether this premise a full holiday film on such a setup holds water remains debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by its screenwriters and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than a light film. It functions as a holiday release from a corporate studio – the depth remains surface-level. Its storyline proves to be straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – including familiar faces – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – think obvious snow effects surrounding green trees as a summer location doubles as a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
How these standard ingredients merge into an entertaining watch depends on the execution and one's taste for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – those people who scroll endlessly for dog videos. Audiences receive a series of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the canine star, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise does not extend for the human side of the story. The film's approach vacillates between relationship drama, broad humor, predictable love story, and silly gags, not quite landing a consistent feel. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe required by the unusual premise. He brings a charming humility that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal seems a touch too detached, notably when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Merv himself succeeds in looking despondent – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still an excellent dog.)
The story strives to provide depth to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, given that the dog is by far the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The cause for the split could have been 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 – even if it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video this December.
