This is a widely held belief for numerous people that sharing custody a canine companion following a split is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such situations prevent individuals from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and become annoying for everyone involved. Apparently, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to become depressed.
Without minimizing the mental health of animals – many owners attest to their remarkable empathy. For a masterclass in canine melancholy, simply recall a past film. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle coping with life in two homes. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on such a setup is sustainable is debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, written by its screenwriters and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than a light film. This is a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity are modest. The narrative proves to be simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Side characters – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – exemplified by obvious snow effects piled on green trees as a warm climate substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
How these predictable parts merge into a pleasant experience depends on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who seek out for cute animal clips. It provides a series of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the dog, and while this leads to some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie does offer walking sequences, pet moping, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success does not extend for the romantic plot. Its style vacillates between serious study, broad humor, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a single genre. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny inherent in the bizarre setting. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. The character seems a bit too dry, particularly when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, the canine performer manages flopping and whining – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, given that the title character is easily the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The reason for their separation might seem more adult and realistic with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling all its marks. Making a film on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – though I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
