It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that jointly caring for a pet following a split is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such situations impede ex-partners from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Apparently, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to feel down.
Not to downplay the mental health of our pets – countless people speak of their remarkable empathy. To witness a masterclass in canine melancholy, one need only look another performance. 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 adapting to split households. If this concept a full holiday film on this conflict holds water remains rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by director Swale, never aspires to be anything more than what it is. It functions as a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the complexity remains surface-level. Its storyline unfolds as simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will presumably realize the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – featuring a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – as seen in obvious snow effects piled on green trees as a summer location doubles as a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
If these predictable parts come together into a pleasant experience depends on the actors' work and an acceptance of comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. It provides a plethora of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the canine star, and even if it causes some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie does offer dog beach fun, dog depression, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success does not extend for the romantic plot. The tone shifts uneasily between serious study, zany antics, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, failing to master a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is fully game the silliness and cringe required by the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that offers much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna can feel a touch too detached, particularly when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog succeeds in flopping and whining – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, given that the title character is easily the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their separation might seem more grounded and mature with more screen time and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting every expected note. Making a film on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – but it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.