It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that jointly caring for a pet after a breakup is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such situations hinder former couples from healing, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and are a nuisance across the board. Apparently, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to feel down.
Without minimizing the inner life of dogs – pet parents attest to their profound sensitivity. To witness a prime example in dog sorrow, simply recall a past film. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adapting to life in two homes. If this concept a full holiday film on this conflict holds water seems a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than a light film. We have here a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions are modest. Its storyline is destined to be simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as the usual assortment of types. The film's look carries the feel of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – think fake snow clinging to lush pines as North Carolina doubles as the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
How these familiar elements come together into a pleasant experience depends on the execution and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who scroll endlessly for pet content. Audiences receive a series of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is Merv himself, and while this leads to some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie delivers on canine party antics, dog depression, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The tone vacillates between relationship drama, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to any one mode. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe required by the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. The character comes across as a touch too detached, notably when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Merv himself succeeds in flopping and whining – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, given that the title character is easily the best part of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their separation would feel more adult and realistic with less exposition and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting every expected note. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting is not terrible – though it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video this December.
