This is a widely held belief in certain circles that sharing custody a pet after a breakup is a terrible idea. Most will argue such arrangements prevent individuals from finding closure, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. As it turns out, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the canine in question to become depressed.
Without minimizing the mental health of our pets – many owners attest to their profound sensitivity. If you need prime example in pet despair, consider recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a full holiday film on such a setup holds water is a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than what it is. We have here a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions are modest. The narrative unfolds as uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will surely realize the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – including familiar faces – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look is reminiscent of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – exemplified by flurries piled on lush pines as a summer location stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these standard ingredients merge into an entertaining watch depends on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who seek out for dog videos. It provides a series of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is Merv himself, and though it results in some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie does offer canine party antics, dog depression, and, in the end, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The film's approach shifts uneasily between emotional depth, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a consistent feel. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe inherent in the dog resort scenario. He brings a charming humility that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal comes across as a touch too detached, especially when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog succeeds in acting depressed – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The story strives to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, given that the dog is by far the cutest element of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for the split might seem more nuanced with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling all its marks. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting has potential – but it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video this December.
