It is a widely held belief among many that sharing custody a pet following a split is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such situations impede ex-partners from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for all parties. Apparently, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to feel down.
Not to downplay the inner life of our pets – many owners attest to their remarkable empathy. If you need masterclass in pet despair, simply recall a past film. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog played by Gus the Dog, would struggle adapting to life in two homes. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom around this situation is sustainable remains debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than its premise. It functions as a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the depth are modest. Its storyline proves to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – think obvious snow effects surrounding lush pines as North Carolina doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
If these predictable parts coalesce into a pleasant experience hinges on the execution and an acceptance of easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – those people who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. It provides a series of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the canine star, and though it results in some awkward editing between animal action and people's faces, the movie does offer canine party antics, dog depression, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The film's approach shifts uneasily between serious study, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and silly gags, never fully committing to a single genre. This is not Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny demanded of the bizarre setting. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna comes across as a bit too dry, notably when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Merv himself manages looking despondent – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to add substance to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, considering the title character is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their separation could have been more grounded and mature with more screen time and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, hitting all its marks. Making a film on this shared-custody premise has potential – but it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
