It is a widely held belief in certain circles that sharing custody a pet following a split is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such arrangements prevent individuals from healing, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating across the board. Seemingly, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to become depressed.
While respecting the mental health of dogs – many owners speak of their profound sensitivity. To witness a masterclass in pet despair, simply recall another performance. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog played by Gus the Dog, would struggle adjusting to life in two homes. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on such a setup is sustainable is a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than a light film. We have here a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth remains surface-level. Its storyline is destined to be straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – including familiar faces – serve as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – think obvious snow effects clinging to lush pines as North Carolina stands in for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
If these predictable parts merge into something enjoyable hinges on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – the kind who seek out for dog videos. Audiences receive a wealth of adorable dog montages. The central draw is Merv himself, and though it results in some awkward editing between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on walking sequences, dog depression, and, finally, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise cannot be applied for the romantic plot. Its style vacillates between relationship drama, zany antics, formulaic romance, and silly gags, failing to master any one mode. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny required by the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal can feel a bit too dry, notably when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Merv himself manages looking despondent – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a very good boy.)
Merv tries to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, given that the title character is undoubtedly the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their original breakup could have been more grounded and mature with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting every expected note. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting has potential – but I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
