This is a widely held belief for numerous people that sharing custody a canine companion post-separation is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such setups prevent former couples from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Apparently, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to become depressed.
While respecting the emotional well-being of our pets – pet parents observe their profound sensitivity. If you need prime example in canine melancholy, one need only look another performance. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type played by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult coping with split households. The idea of basing a full holiday film on such a setup holds water seems a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and under the guidance of director Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than its premise. We have here a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions is limited. Its storyline unfolds as straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will presumably realize the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. The film's look has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – exemplified by fake snow piled on green trees as a warm climate substitutes for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
How these familiar elements merge into something enjoyable rests upon the actors' work and one's taste for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – individuals who seek out for cute animal clips. The film delivers a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the dog, and even if it causes some awkward editing between animal action and human reaction, the movie delivers on canine party antics, dog depression, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach vacillates between relationship drama, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, failing to master a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny demanded of the unusual premise. He brings a likable self-deprecation that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. The character can feel a touch too detached, especially when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog manages looking despondent – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The film attempts to give weight to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, since Merv is easily the best part of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The cause for their separation might seem more nuanced with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Making a film on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – but it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
