This is a widely held belief among many that sharing custody a pet post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such setups hinder individuals from healing, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for all parties. As it turns out, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to feel down.
Not to downplay the inner life of animals – pet parents speak of their deep emotional capacity. For a prime example in canine melancholy, simply recall recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adjusting to split households. The idea of basing a full holiday film on such a setup holds water seems a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and under the guidance of director Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than what it is. This is a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth remains surface-level. The narrative is destined to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – played by familiar faces – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – think obvious snow effects piled on verdant foliage as North Carolina substitutes for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these familiar elements merge into an entertaining watch hinges on the strength of the performances and one's taste for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who seek out for pet content. It provides a series of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is Merv himself, and even if it causes some stilted moments between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie does offer walking sequences, pet moping, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness is not earned for the romantic plot. The film's approach wavers between relationship drama, broad humor, predictable love story, and silly gags, never fully committing to a single genre. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is fully game the absurd and awkward required by the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a charming humility that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal can feel a touch too detached, especially when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, the canine performer succeeds in flopping and whining – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a very good boy.)
The film attempts to give weight to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, given that the dog is by far the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their original breakup might seem more grounded and mature with more screen time and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting all its marks. Making a film about dog co-parenting is not terrible – but I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
