It is a widely held belief among many that sharing custody a pet following a split is ill-advised. Most will argue such setups prevent individuals from finding closure, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for all parties. Seemingly, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of our pets – countless people speak of their profound sensitivity. If you need masterclass in dog sorrow, one need only look a past film. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adjusting to life in two homes. If this concept a feature-length romcom on such a setup is sustainable seems rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than a light film. It functions as a holiday release from a corporate studio – the ambitions remains surface-level. The plot is destined to be straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – including a group of comedic actors – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by fake snow surrounding verdant foliage as a warm climate stands in for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these familiar elements come together into a pleasant experience hinges on the actors' work and an acceptance of comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who scroll endlessly for pet content. The film delivers a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is Merv himself, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie does offer canine party antics, dog depression, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success does not extend for the human side of the story. Its style vacillates between serious study, broad humor, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, failing to master a single genre. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward inherent in the dog resort scenario. He brings a likable self-deprecation that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal comes across as a bit too dry, notably when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, the canine performer succeeds in looking despondent – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains an excellent dog.)
The story strives to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, considering the dog is undoubtedly the best part of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their original breakup could have been more grounded and mature with less exposition and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film with this canine conflict is not terrible – but it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
