It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that sharing custody a pet following a split is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such arrangements prevent former couples from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. As it turns out, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to experience sadness.
While respecting the emotional well-being of our pets – countless people observe their remarkable empathy. To witness a prime example in canine melancholy, simply recall a past film. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adjusting to life in two homes. The idea of basing a full holiday film on such a setup works effectively remains rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than its premise. It functions as a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions remains surface-level. The narrative unfolds as straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – as seen in flurries clinging to green trees as a summer location doubles as a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
How these familiar elements coalesce into something enjoyable hinges on the execution and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – those people who seek out for pet content. It provides a series of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the canine star, and though it results in some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie does offer dog beach fun, pet moping, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success cannot be applied for the romantic plot. Its style shifts uneasily between serious study, broad humor, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a consistent feel. This is not Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe inherent in the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that supplies much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. The character comes across as a bit too dry, especially when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, the canine performer is convincing at flopping and whining – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a very good boy.)
Merv tries to add substance to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, considering the dog is by far the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their separation would feel more nuanced with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Making a film about dog co-parenting is not terrible – though it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
