This is a common warning for numerous people that sharing custody a canine companion following a split is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such situations impede individuals from moving forward, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and are a nuisance across the board. As it turns out, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of animals – countless people attest to their deep emotional capacity. To witness a masterclass in pet despair, consider a past film. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adjusting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a full holiday film on this conflict is sustainable seems a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of director Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than a light film. This is a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions are modest. Its storyline is destined to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will surely realize the idea that they are better together. Side characters – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – exemplified by fake snow clinging to lush pines as a warm climate stands in for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
How these familiar elements come together into a pleasant experience hinges on the execution and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who browse regularly for pet content. The film delivers a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the dog, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie does offer dog beach fun, pet moping, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The tone shifts uneasily between relationship drama, zany antics, predictable love story, and silly gags, not quite landing a single genre. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny required by the bizarre setting. His performance contains a charming humility that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna seems a little too aloof, especially when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog is convincing at flopping and whining – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to add substance to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, since Merv is easily the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The reason for their original breakup might seem more nuanced with less exposition and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story with this canine conflict has potential – even if it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video on December 10th.
