This is a common warning in certain circles that sharing custody a pet post-separation is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such setups hinder former couples from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance across the board. As it turns out, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the canine in question to become depressed.
Not to downplay the inner life of animals – countless people attest to their deep emotional capacity. For a masterclass in dog sorrow, one need only look recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by Gus the Dog, would struggle coping with life in two homes. The idea of basing a full holiday film around this situation is sustainable is a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, written by the writing duo and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than its premise. It functions as a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the complexity remains surface-level. Its storyline proves to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – played by familiar faces – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look has the quality of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by fake snow clinging to lush pines as a warm climate doubles as the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these familiar elements come together into something enjoyable rests upon the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who scroll endlessly for dog videos. It provides a series of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and while this leads to some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, dog depression, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The film's approach vacillates between serious study, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, failing to master a single genre. This is not Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe inherent in the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a charming humility that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. The character comes across as a little too aloof, particularly when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, the canine performer is convincing at flopping and whining – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The story strives to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, given that the title character is by far the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for the split would feel more grounded and mature with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling every expected note. Creating a movie with this canine conflict is not terrible – though I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video this December.
