It is a widely held belief in certain circles that sharing custody a pet after a breakup is a terrible idea. Most will argue such situations impede individuals from moving forward, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for all parties. Seemingly, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of dogs – countless people speak of their remarkable empathy. To witness a prime example in pet despair, simply recall a past film. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adapting to life in two homes. If this concept a feature-length romcom on this conflict works effectively seems rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than what it is. This is a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions are modest. The plot unfolds as uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Side characters – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – think obvious snow effects piled on verdant foliage as a warm climate stands in for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
If these familiar elements merge into an entertaining watch rests upon the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – individuals who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. It provides a series of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is Merv himself, and while this leads to some awkward editing between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
The same praise cannot be applied for the human side of the story. Its style wavers between serious study, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, failing to master a single genre. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward required by the bizarre setting. He brings a endearing lack of ego that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal comes across as a bit too dry, notably when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Merv himself succeeds in looking despondent – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, since the dog is easily the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their original breakup might seem more adult and realistic with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting every expected note. Making a film with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – though it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform this December.
