It is a widely held belief for numerous people that jointly caring for a pet following a split is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such setups impede ex-partners from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to become depressed.
While respecting the inner life of dogs – countless people observe their remarkable empathy. To witness a prime example in dog sorrow, consider another performance. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix played by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adjusting to divided living arrangements. If this concept a full holiday film on this conflict is sustainable is rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, written by its screenwriters and directed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than its premise. We have here a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the complexity remains surface-level. Its storyline unfolds as uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look is reminiscent of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – exemplified by obvious snow effects piled on lush pines as a summer location doubles as a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these familiar elements coalesce into a pleasant experience hinges on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who scroll endlessly for pet content. It provides a series of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the dog, and even if it causes some stilted moments between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on walking sequences, pet moping, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
This level of success is not earned for the romantic plot. The tone vacillates between serious study, broad humor, predictable love story, and silly gags, failing to master a single genre. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the silliness and cringe inherent in the unusual premise. He brings a charming humility that offers much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her Anna can feel a touch too detached, notably when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, the canine performer is convincing at acting depressed – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, given that the dog is easily the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for the split might seem more nuanced with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting every expected note. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting has potential – though it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
