This is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that sharing custody a pet post-separation is ill-advised. Most will argue such situations prevent former couples from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and become annoying across the board. Seemingly, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it also makes our furry friends to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of animals – many owners observe their deep emotional capacity. If you need standout portrayal in pet despair, consider a past film. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time coping with divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom around this situation is sustainable seems rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and helmed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than what it is. It functions as a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions are modest. The plot proves to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will presumably realize the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – featuring a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Visually carries the feel of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – as seen in obvious snow effects piled on green trees as North Carolina doubles as the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
If these predictable parts merge into a pleasant experience hinges on the execution and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the dog, and even if it causes some awkward editing between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie does offer walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The tone vacillates between emotional depth, zany antics, predictable love story, and silly gags, failing to master a single genre. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the absurd and awkward required by the bizarre setting. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal seems a little too aloof, particularly when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Merv himself is convincing at flopping and whining – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The story strives to give weight to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, given that the dog is undoubtedly the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The cause for their separation could have been more grounded and mature with less exposition and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film with this canine conflict has potential – though it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
