This is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that sharing custody a pet after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such arrangements impede former couples from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for all parties. Seemingly, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to feel down.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of our pets – many owners attest to their profound sensitivity. If you need standout portrayal in pet despair, consider recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adapting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on this conflict holds water is a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than what it is. This is a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth are modest. The plot proves to be simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – as seen in fake snow surrounding green trees as North Carolina substitutes for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
How these standard ingredients coalesce into a pleasant experience depends on the execution and one's taste for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – the kind who scroll endlessly for pet content. Audiences receive a wealth of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the dog, and while this leads to some stilted moments between animal action and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness does not extend for the romantic plot. Its style wavers between serious study, broad humor, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, failing to master any one mode. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe inherent in the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna seems a bit too dry, particularly when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Merv himself succeeds in flopping and whining – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a very good boy.)
The film attempts to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, considering the dog is easily the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their original breakup might seem more nuanced with less exposition and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling every expected note. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – even if it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
