This is a common warning among many that sharing custody a pet after a breakup is a terrible idea. Most will argue such arrangements impede individuals from healing, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance across the board. Apparently, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the inner life of dogs – pet parents observe their deep emotional capacity. To witness a prime example in pet despair, consider a past film. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adapting to life in two homes. The idea of basing a full holiday film on this conflict holds water is a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, the work of the writing duo and helmed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than its premise. We have here a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity are modest. Its storyline unfolds as simple and direct: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – including familiar faces – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – think flurries clinging to lush pines as a summer location stands in for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
How these familiar elements coalesce into something enjoyable hinges on the actors' work and an acceptance of easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who seek out for pet content. The film delivers a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the canine star, and even if it causes some awkward editing between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success is not earned for the romantic plot. Its style shifts uneasily between serious study, broad humor, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a single genre. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward required by the dog resort scenario. He brings a likable self-deprecation that provides much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna can feel a bit too dry, especially when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Gus the Dog succeeds in looking despondent – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to add substance to the central romance for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, given that the dog is easily the best part of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The cause for the split could have been more grounded and mature with more screen time and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, hitting all its marks. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – though it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video this December.
