This is a widely held belief for numerous people that sharing custody a canine companion post-separation is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such setups impede individuals from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and are a nuisance across the board. As it turns out, as a development worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the canine in question to become depressed.
While respecting the inner life of dogs – pet parents observe their deep emotional capacity. If you need masterclass in dog sorrow, consider a past film. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type played by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adjusting to split households. If this concept a feature-length romcom around this situation holds water remains rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, written by its screenwriters and helmed by director Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than what it is. We have here a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions is limited. Its storyline is destined to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they are better together. Side characters – played by a group of comedic actors – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – as seen in flurries clinging to green trees as North Carolina doubles as a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
How these standard ingredients merge into an entertaining watch rests upon the actors' work and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – the kind who seek out for cute animal clips. It provides a series of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is Merv himself, and while this leads to some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie delivers on canine party antics, pet moping, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success cannot be applied for the human side of the story. Its style vacillates between relationship drama, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and silly gags, not quite landing a consistent feel. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe required by the unusual premise. He brings a charming humility that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal seems a little too aloof, notably when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, the canine performer is convincing at acting depressed – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to give weight to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, given that the title character is by far the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their separation might seem more grounded and mature with more screen time and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting all its marks. Making a film on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – though it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video this December.
