It is a common warning for numerous people that sharing custody a pet following a split is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such arrangements impede individuals from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. As it turns out, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it also makes our furry friends to feel down.
While respecting the emotional well-being of animals – pet parents speak of their deep emotional capacity. For a masterclass in canine melancholy, consider recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog played by Gus the Dog, would struggle adjusting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom around this situation holds water is rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and under the guidance of director Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than a light film. It functions as a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the complexity remains surface-level. The plot is destined to be straightforward: 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, take a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they are better together. Side characters – including a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – think fake snow clinging to verdant foliage as a summer location stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these predictable parts come together into a pleasant experience depends on the execution and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who seek out for cute animal clips. The film delivers a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the dog, and even if it causes some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie does offer dog beach fun, dog depression, and, in the end, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness does not extend for the human side of the story. The film's approach shifts uneasily between emotional depth, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a consistent feel. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny inherent in the bizarre setting. He brings a charming humility that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna can feel a little too aloof, especially when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Merv himself succeeds in looking despondent – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to give weight to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, since the dog is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The reason for their original breakup might seem more adult and realistic with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling every expected note. Making a film about dog co-parenting is not terrible – though it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
