It is a widely held belief among many that jointly caring for a pet post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such arrangements impede individuals from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. Seemingly, as a development suited to a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to feel down.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of our pets – pet parents attest to their deep emotional capacity. To witness a standout portrayal in pet despair, simply recall another performance. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adjusting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a full holiday film on such a setup works effectively seems rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than what it is. This is a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth remains surface-level. The narrative proves to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – featuring familiar faces – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look has the quality of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – exemplified by fake snow piled on lush pines as a summer location substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
If these standard ingredients come together into a pleasant experience hinges on the execution and an acceptance of easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who scroll endlessly for pet content. Audiences receive a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the canine star, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on canine party antics, pet moping, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The tone vacillates between serious study, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, never fully committing to any one mode. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is fully game the absurd and awkward required by the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that offers much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. The character seems a little too aloof, especially when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog manages looking despondent – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a very good boy.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, given that Merv is undoubtedly the best part of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their separation could have been more adult and realistic with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling every expected note. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting has potential – even if it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video this December.
