This is a common warning in certain circles that jointly caring for a pet post-separation is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such situations prevent ex-partners from moving forward, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for all parties. Seemingly, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to become depressed.
While respecting the inner life of dogs – many owners speak of their profound sensitivity. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, simply recall a past film. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog played by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to split households. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on this conflict is sustainable remains a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. We have here a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the complexity is limited. The plot proves to be straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – played by a group of comedic actors – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – think obvious snow effects piled on green trees as North Carolina stands in for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
How these familiar elements come together into something enjoyable depends on the execution and one's taste for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who browse regularly for pet content. It provides a series of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the canine star, and though it results in some awkward editing between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie does offer canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
This level of success is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach vacillates between serious study, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, not quite landing any one mode. This is not Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny inherent in the bizarre setting. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. The character can feel a bit too dry, notably when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Merv himself succeeds in flopping and whining – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a very good boy.)
The film attempts to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, given that Merv is undoubtedly the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for the split would feel more grounded and mature with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting all its marks. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise has potential – even if it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video on December 10th.
