This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that sharing custody a dog following a split is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such arrangements prevent individuals from moving forward, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for all parties. Apparently, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the mental health of animals – many owners speak of their profound sensitivity. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, simply recall recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adapting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom around this situation is sustainable remains rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and directed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. It functions as a holiday release from a corporate studio – the complexity are modest. Its storyline proves to be uncomplicated: 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 uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – played by a group of comedic actors – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – think flurries clinging to lush pines as a warm climate substitutes for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
How these standard ingredients coalesce into a pleasant experience depends on the actors' work and an acceptance of easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who seek out for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie does offer walking sequences, dog depression, and, finally, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness is not earned for the romantic plot. Its style vacillates between emotional depth, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a single genre. This is not Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny required by the bizarre setting. He brings a endearing lack of ego that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her Anna comes across as a touch too detached, particularly when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, the canine performer succeeds in acting depressed – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The story strives to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, since the dog is undoubtedly the best part of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The reason for their separation would feel more adult and realistic with more screen time and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, meeting all its marks. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – even if it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video this December.
