It is a widely held belief for numerous people that jointly caring for a pet post-separation is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such situations prevent ex-partners from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for all parties. Apparently, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to feel down.
While respecting the inner life of dogs – countless people attest to their remarkable empathy. To witness a masterclass in canine melancholy, simply recall another performance. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adapting to divided living arrangements. If this concept a full holiday film on such a setup is sustainable seems a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than a light film. This is a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions are modest. 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 surpassed by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will surely realize the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – featuring a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic has the quality of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – think obvious snow effects piled on green trees as North Carolina doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
If these familiar elements come together into something enjoyable hinges on the actors' work and an acceptance of comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who seek out for pet content. The film delivers a series of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the dog, and though it results in some stilted moments between animal action and people's faces, the movie delivers on walking sequences, dog depression, and, finally, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise is not earned for the human side of the story. The tone shifts uneasily between relationship drama, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, not quite landing a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe inherent in the unusual premise. He brings a endearing lack of ego that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. The character can feel a bit too dry, notably when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog is convincing at flopping and whining – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, considering Merv is undoubtedly the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The cause for their original breakup would feel more nuanced with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting every expected note. Creating a movie with this canine conflict is not terrible – even if I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
