This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that sharing custody a dog post-separation is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such situations impede individuals from finding closure, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for all parties. Apparently, as a development worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to feel down.
Without minimizing the mental health of our pets – countless people attest to their remarkable empathy. If you need prime example in canine melancholy, simply recall a past film. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adapting to split households. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on such a setup is sustainable remains a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of the writing duo and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than what it is. It functions as a holiday release from a corporate studio – the complexity are modest. The plot is destined to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – featuring familiar faces – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually is reminiscent of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – exemplified by fake snow clinging to lush pines as North Carolina substitutes for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
If these standard ingredients merge into a pleasant experience rests upon the strength of the performances and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who seek out for dog videos. It provides a series of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the dog, and though it results in some stilted moments between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie delivers on walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise does not extend for the human side of the story. The tone vacillates between serious study, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, not quite landing a consistent feel. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny demanded of the unusual premise. He brings a charming humility that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. The character can feel a bit too dry, particularly when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, the canine performer succeeds in acting depressed – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a very good boy.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, given that the dog is by far the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for the split could have been 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 is not terrible – but it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
