It is a common warning for numerous people that jointly caring for a pet post-separation is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such situations impede ex-partners from healing, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and are a nuisance across the board. Seemingly, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
While respecting the emotional well-being of animals – many owners speak of their profound sensitivity. For a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, one need only look a past film. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adjusting to divided living arrangements. If this concept a full holiday film on such a setup works effectively remains debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, written by the writing duo and under the guidance of director Swale, never aspires to be anything more than a light film. This is a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the depth remains surface-level. The narrative is destined to be uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – including a group of comedic actors – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – as seen in flurries surrounding green trees as North Carolina doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these familiar elements coalesce into something enjoyable hinges on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – those people who browse regularly for pet content. It provides a series of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the dog, and while this leads to some awkward editing between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, dog depression, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Human Element
This level of success is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The tone shifts uneasily between emotional depth, zany antics, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, failing to master a single genre. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe inherent in the bizarre setting. He brings a charming humility that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her Anna comes across as a touch too detached, notably when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, the canine performer manages acting depressed – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a very good boy.)
Merv tries to give weight to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, considering Merv is by far the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their separation could have been more adult and realistic with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, hitting all its marks. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – but I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Prime Video on December 10th.
