It is a common warning among many that sharing custody a pet after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such situations impede ex-partners from healing, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. As it turns out, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to become depressed.
Without minimizing the inner life of dogs – countless people observe their deep emotional capacity. To witness a prime example in canine melancholy, consider recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a full holiday film on such a setup is sustainable is debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, the work of the writing duo and directed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than its premise. We have here a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the depth is limited. Its storyline is destined to be uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – played by familiar faces – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – think fake snow piled on lush pines as a summer location stands in for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these standard ingredients come together into an entertaining watch depends on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – individuals who browse regularly for dog videos. It provides a series of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is Merv himself, and even if it causes some stilted moments between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, dog depression, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The tone shifts uneasily between serious study, broad humor, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, not quite landing a consistent feel. This is not Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny inherent in the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. The character seems a touch too detached, notably when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, the canine performer manages flopping and whining – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, considering Merv is easily the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their separation might seem more adult and realistic with less exposition and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling all its marks. Making a film on this shared-custody premise has potential – even if I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video this December.
