This is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that sharing custody a canine companion post-separation is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such arrangements impede ex-partners from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating across the board. As it turns out, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to feel down.
Without minimizing the inner life of our pets – countless people speak of their remarkable empathy. To witness a masterclass in pet despair, simply recall another performance. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adapting to divided living arrangements. If this concept a feature-length romcom on this conflict is sustainable remains debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by the writing duo and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than what it is. It functions as a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity are modest. The plot unfolds as straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – think fake snow surrounding green trees as a warm climate doubles as a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these familiar elements merge into a pleasant experience depends on the execution and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who seek out for cute animal clips. It provides a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the canine star, and though it results in some stilted moments between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The film's approach shifts uneasily between emotional depth, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, not quite landing a single genre. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the absurd and awkward demanded of the unusual premise. He brings a endearing lack of ego that provides much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal seems a bit too dry, notably when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Gus the Dog is convincing at looking despondent – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a very good boy.)
Merv tries to add substance to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, considering Merv is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The cause for the split might seem more adult and realistic with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise has potential – even if it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
