It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that sharing custody a pet post-separation is a terrible idea. Most will argue such arrangements impede individuals from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for all parties. Apparently, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Not to downplay the inner life of our pets – pet parents speak of their profound sensitivity. To witness a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, one need only look another performance. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time coping with split households. The idea of basing a full holiday film on this conflict holds water seems rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than a light film. This is a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity is limited. The narrative proves to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – as seen in flurries piled on green trees as a summer location stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
If these predictable parts coalesce into something enjoyable hinges on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who seek out for cute animal clips. It provides a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the dog, and while this leads to some awkward editing between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The tone vacillates between serious study, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, not quite landing any one mode. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny demanded of the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. The character comes across as a little too aloof, particularly when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, the canine performer succeeds in looking despondent – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a very good boy.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, considering the title character is easily the best part of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The cause for their separation could have been more adult and realistic with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – though I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform this December.
