It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that jointly caring for a pet following a split is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such situations hinder former couples from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. As it turns out, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of our pets – many owners speak of their profound sensitivity. If you need prime example in canine melancholy, consider another performance. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time coping with life in two homes. If this concept a full holiday film around this situation works effectively seems debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and directed by director Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than a light film. We have here a holiday release from a corporate studio – the ambitions remains surface-level. Its storyline unfolds as simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – including familiar faces – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting 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
If these familiar elements merge into something enjoyable rests upon the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who browse regularly for pet content. Audiences receive a series of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the canine star, and though it results in some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie delivers on canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The tone vacillates between relationship drama, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and silly gags, not quite landing any one mode. This is not Cox's performance, who is fully game the absurd and awkward inherent in the unusual premise. He brings a charming humility that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna comes across as a little too aloof, notably when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Gus the Dog manages looking despondent – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, given that the dog is undoubtedly the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their original breakup might seem more nuanced with less exposition and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise has potential – though I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
