It is a widely held belief in certain circles that sharing custody a dog following a split is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such arrangements prevent ex-partners from healing, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. Seemingly, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it also makes our furry friends to experience sadness.
While respecting the inner life of dogs – many owners observe their remarkable empathy. For a masterclass in dog sorrow, one need only look a past film. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle coping with life in two homes. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom around this situation works effectively seems a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, the work of the writing duo and helmed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than its premise. This is a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the complexity are modest. The narrative is destined to be straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – played by familiar faces – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. The film's look has the quality of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – as seen in obvious snow effects surrounding green trees as North Carolina stands in for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
If these predictable parts come together into an entertaining watch depends on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – individuals who browse regularly for pet content. The film delivers a series of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the dog, and while this leads to some stilted moments between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie does offer dog beach fun, pet moping, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success is not earned for the romantic plot. Its style wavers between emotional depth, broad humor, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, not quite landing any one mode. This is not Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny required by the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal can feel a bit too dry, especially when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog succeeds in looking despondent – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a very good boy.)
The film attempts to give weight to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, given that the title character is undoubtedly the best part of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The catalyst for the split might seem more grounded and mature with more screen time and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting every expected note. Making a film about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – though it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
