This is a widely held belief among many that sharing custody a dog following a split is ill-advised. Most will argue such arrangements hinder former couples from healing, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Apparently, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to become depressed.
While respecting the mental health of animals – countless people speak of their deep emotional capacity. If you need standout portrayal in canine melancholy, one need only look a past film. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adjusting to split households. If this concept a feature-length romcom on this conflict holds water remains rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than its premise. This is a holiday release from a corporate studio – the ambitions is limited. The narrative proves to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – featuring a group of comedic actors – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look has the quality of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – exemplified by fake snow piled on lush pines as a warm climate substitutes for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
How these predictable parts come together into something enjoyable depends on the execution and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – those people who seek out for cute animal clips. The film delivers a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the dog, and even if it causes some awkward editing between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
This level of success does not extend for the romantic plot. The film's approach wavers between relationship drama, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, failing to master a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe demanded of the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her Anna can feel a bit too dry, particularly when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, the canine performer manages looking despondent – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a very good boy.)
Merv tries to give weight to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, considering the title character is undoubtedly the best part of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their original breakup might seem more adult and realistic with less exposition and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – though it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
