This is a common warning in certain circles that sharing custody a canine companion following a split is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such situations impede individuals from finding closure, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and become annoying across the board. Seemingly, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of animals – countless people observe their remarkable empathy. To witness a prime example in canine melancholy, one need only look recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog played by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adapting to life in two homes. Whether this premise a full holiday film on this conflict works effectively is a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and helmed by director Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than its premise. We have here a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions are modest. Its storyline is destined to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will surely realize the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look is reminiscent of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – think obvious snow effects clinging to lush pines as a summer location substitutes for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
If these familiar elements come together into something enjoyable hinges on the execution and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who browse regularly for dog videos. Audiences receive a series of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is Merv himself, and while this leads to some stilted moments between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie delivers on walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the romantic plot. Its style vacillates between emotional depth, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, not quite landing any one mode. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is fully game the humiliating and funny inherent in the unusual premise. He brings a charming humility that supplies much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal seems a little too aloof, notably when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog is convincing at looking despondent – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to give weight to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, considering Merv is easily the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their separation might seem more adult and realistic with more screen time and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting is not terrible – though it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Prime Video starting December 10.
