This is a common warning among many that jointly caring for a dog post-separation is a terrible idea. Most will argue such situations impede former couples from healing, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. As it turns out, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it also makes our furry friends to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the inner life of our pets – many owners attest to their deep emotional capacity. To witness a masterclass in canine melancholy, one need only look a past film. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult coping with divided living arrangements. If this concept a full holiday film on this conflict works effectively remains debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than its premise. It functions as a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions is limited. The narrative is destined to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – including a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – exemplified by obvious snow effects clinging to verdant foliage as a summer location substitutes for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
How these standard ingredients merge into something enjoyable depends on the execution and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. It provides a series of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the dog, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie does offer walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness is not earned for the human side of the story. The film's approach vacillates between emotional depth, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and silly gags, failing to master a consistent feel. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the silliness and cringe required by the bizarre setting. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. The character seems a little too aloof, particularly when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog is convincing at flopping and whining – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, since Merv is easily the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for the split would feel more adult and realistic with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, meeting all its marks. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting is not terrible – though it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video this December.
