It is a common warning among many that jointly caring for a dog post-separation is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such situations prevent individuals from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Without minimizing the mental health of dogs – countless people attest to their remarkable empathy. If you need standout portrayal in pet despair, simply recall a past film. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type played by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adjusting to split households. Whether this premise a full holiday film around this situation holds water seems a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than its premise. This is a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the ambitions remains surface-level. The plot unfolds as simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – featuring familiar faces – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – think flurries piled on green trees as North Carolina doubles as the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
How these predictable parts merge into a pleasant experience depends on the actors' work and an acceptance of comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a plethora of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the canine star, and even if it causes some stilted moments between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie delivers on walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The tone shifts uneasily between emotional depth, broad humor, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, failing to master a consistent feel. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe required by the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that supplies much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her Anna comes across as a little too aloof, notably when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, the canine performer is convincing at flopping and whining – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The story strives to give weight to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, considering the title character is easily the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their separation would feel more adult and realistic with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – even if I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
