It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that jointly caring for a pet following a split is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such arrangements hinder former couples from moving forward, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and become annoying across the board. Seemingly, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of our pets – countless people observe their deep emotional capacity. To witness a masterclass in pet despair, one need only look a past film. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle coping with life in two homes. Whether this premise a full holiday film around this situation works effectively seems a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and helmed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than what it is. We have here a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity are modest. Its storyline proves to be straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – think flurries surrounding verdant foliage as North Carolina doubles as a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
If these predictable parts come together into an entertaining watch depends on the execution and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – the kind who browse regularly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a series of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is Merv himself, and though it results in some awkward editing between animal action and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, dog depression, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The tone wavers between relationship drama, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, failing to master a single genre. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is fully game the absurd and awkward required by the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a charming humility that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. The character seems a little too aloof, especially when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, the canine performer is convincing at acting depressed – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The story strives to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, considering the title character is easily the best part of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for the split might seem more nuanced with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, hitting all its marks. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise has potential – even if it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform this December.
