This is a widely held belief for numerous people that co-parenting a pet post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such situations prevent former couples from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for all parties. As it turns out, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to feel down.
While respecting the emotional well-being of animals – many owners speak of their remarkable empathy. If you need prime example in canine melancholy, consider recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adapting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom around this situation is sustainable remains debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and helmed by director Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than a light film. We have here a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity are modest. The narrative unfolds as straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – as seen in fake snow piled on verdant foliage as a summer location substitutes for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these predictable parts come together into an entertaining watch rests upon the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – the kind who browse regularly for cute animal clips. It provides a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the dog, and though it results in some awkward editing between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise is not earned for the human side of the story. The film's approach wavers between relationship drama, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and physical comedy, not quite landing a single genre. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny inherent in the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna comes across as a touch too detached, notably when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Merv himself succeeds in acting depressed – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The story strives to add substance to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, given that the title character is undoubtedly the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their original breakup could have been more grounded and mature with more screen time and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting all its marks. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – even if it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform this December.
