This is a widely held belief for numerous people that jointly caring for a pet following a split is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such arrangements hinder former couples from healing, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for all parties. Seemingly, as a development worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the canine in question to feel down.
While respecting the inner life of animals – pet parents attest to their profound sensitivity. If you need prime example in pet despair, consider recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog played by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adapting to life in two homes. The idea of basing a full holiday film around this situation holds water is rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, written by the writing duo and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than what it is. This is a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions are modest. Its storyline proves to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will surely realize the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually has the quality of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – as seen in obvious snow effects clinging to lush pines as North Carolina stands in for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
How these standard ingredients coalesce into a pleasant experience rests upon the execution and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a series of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the dog, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The tone wavers between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, not quite landing any one mode. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe demanded of the unusual premise. His performance contains a charming humility that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her Anna seems a bit too dry, particularly when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog succeeds in acting depressed – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to give weight to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, considering Merv is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The cause for their original breakup would feel more grounded and mature with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – but it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
