This is a widely held belief for numerous people that sharing custody a dog post-separation is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such setups impede individuals from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and become annoying for everyone involved. Apparently, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to experience sadness.
While respecting the mental health of our pets – pet parents attest to their deep emotional capacity. If you need masterclass in pet despair, one need only look recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix played by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adapting to life in two homes. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on such a setup works effectively remains a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of the writing duo and helmed by director Swale, never aspires to be deeper than what it is. It functions as a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity are modest. The plot is destined to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will presumably realize the idea that they are better together. Side characters – featuring a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. The film's look has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – exemplified by flurries surrounding verdant foliage as North Carolina doubles as the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
How these familiar elements come together into an entertaining watch rests upon the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who seek out for cute animal clips. It provides a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the canine star, and though it results in some clunky cuts between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie does offer canine party antics, dog depression, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
This level of success cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. Its style vacillates between relationship drama, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, not quite landing a consistent feel. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny inherent in the unusual premise. He brings a endearing lack of ego that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. The character can feel a bit too dry, notably when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Merv himself is convincing at flopping and whining – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, given that the title character is by far the cutest element of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The cause for their original breakup might seem more nuanced with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – but I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
