It is a widely held belief for numerous people that sharing custody a pet following a split is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such setups prevent individuals from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and are a nuisance across the board. Seemingly, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to experience sadness.
While respecting the inner life of dogs – pet parents attest to their profound sensitivity. To witness a prime example in pet despair, one need only look a past film. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adapting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom around this situation is sustainable seems debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than a light film. This is a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth are modest. The narrative unfolds as straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – featuring a group of comedic actors – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Visually is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – think fake snow clinging to green trees as a warm climate substitutes for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
How these standard ingredients coalesce into a pleasant experience depends on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who browse regularly for cute animal clips. It provides a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is Merv himself, and even if it causes some stilted moments between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie does offer walking sequences, pet moping, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success does not extend for the human side of the story. Its style shifts uneasily between relationship drama, broad humor, formulaic romance, and silly gags, failing to master a consistent feel. This is not Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny inherent in the unusual premise. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna comes across as a little too aloof, particularly when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, the canine performer succeeds in looking despondent – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a very good boy.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, considering the title character is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The cause for the split might seem more grounded and mature with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling all its marks. Making a film with this canine conflict is not terrible – even if it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Prime Video starting December 10.
