It is a widely held belief for numerous people that sharing custody a pet post-separation is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such arrangements prevent ex-partners from healing, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and prove frustrating across the board. As it turns out, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to become depressed.
Not to downplay the mental health of dogs – many owners observe their deep emotional capacity. If you need prime example in pet despair, consider recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adapting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance around this situation works effectively is a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than what it is. We have here a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity is limited. The plot is destined to be simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look carries the feel of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – as seen in obvious snow effects clinging to lush pines as North Carolina stands in for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
If these familiar elements merge into an entertaining watch hinges on the execution and one's taste for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who browse regularly for pet content. Audiences receive a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the canine star, and even if it causes some stilted moments between animal action and human reaction, the movie does offer canine party antics, pet moping, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise is not earned for the interpersonal drama. Its style wavers between serious study, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and physical comedy, not quite landing a single genre. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is fully game the silliness and cringe required by the dog resort scenario. He brings a likable self-deprecation that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. The character comes across as a bit too dry, notably when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog manages acting depressed – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to add substance to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, given that the title character is easily the cutest element of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The cause for their separation would feel more nuanced with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting every expected note. Making a film with this canine conflict has potential – though it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video on December 10th.