It is a widely held belief for numerous people that jointly caring for a pet following a split is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such situations impede former couples from moving forward, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for all parties. Seemingly, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Not to downplay the inner life of our pets – pet parents speak of their remarkable empathy. If you need masterclass in dog sorrow, one need only look a past film. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time coping with split households. If this concept a full holiday film on such a setup works effectively seems debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than a light film. It functions as a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth are modest. Its storyline proves to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – featuring familiar faces – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – exemplified by fake snow surrounding green trees as a summer location stands in for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
How these familiar elements coalesce into a pleasant experience hinges on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who seek out for pet content. Audiences receive a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the dog, and even if it causes some stilted moments between animal action and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach vacillates between relationship drama, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, not quite landing a consistent feel. This is not Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward demanded of the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a charming humility that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her Anna seems a bit too dry, particularly when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Gus the Dog succeeds in flopping and whining – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to give weight to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, given that the title character is by far the cutest element of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their original breakup would feel more nuanced with more screen time and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting all its marks. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – even if it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
