This is a common warning among many that sharing custody a pet following a split is ill-advised. Most will argue such setups hinder individuals from healing, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and become annoying for everyone involved. Apparently, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to become depressed.
Not to downplay the mental health of our pets – many owners attest to their profound sensitivity. If you need masterclass in dog sorrow, one need only look another performance. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog played by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult coping with split households. If this concept a full holiday film on such a setup works effectively seems debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than its premise. This is a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions is limited. Its storyline unfolds as uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – featuring familiar faces – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually has the quality of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – as seen in flurries piled on green trees as a summer location stands in for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
How these familiar elements merge into a pleasant experience depends on the execution and one's taste for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – those people who seek out for pet content. The film delivers a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the canine star, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach vacillates between emotional depth, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and silly gags, failing to master a single genre. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the humiliating and funny demanded of the unusual premise. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna comes across as a bit too dry, especially when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Merv himself succeeds in acting depressed – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a very good boy.)
Merv tries to add substance to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, since the title character is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for the split could have been more nuanced with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting every expected note. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – but I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv streams on Prime Video this December.
