It is a common warning among many that sharing custody a dog post-separation is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such arrangements impede former couples from moving forward, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Seemingly, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to feel down.
Without minimizing the inner life of our pets – countless people attest to their deep emotional capacity. To witness a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, one need only look another performance. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type played by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adapting to split households. Whether this premise a full holiday film around this situation is sustainable seems a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than what it is. It functions as a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth are modest. The narrative unfolds as straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – played by familiar faces – serve as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – as seen in flurries piled on lush pines as a warm climate stands in for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these standard ingredients merge into something enjoyable depends on the actors' work and one's taste for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – individuals who browse regularly for pet content. The film delivers a plethora of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the canine star, and while this leads to some stilted moments between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, dog depression, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise does not extend for the human side of the story. The film's approach wavers between emotional depth, broad humor, predictable love story, and silly gags, failing to master a consistent feel. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward required by the unusual premise. He brings a likable self-deprecation that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. The character can feel a little too aloof, particularly when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Merv himself manages flopping and whining – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to give weight to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, considering Merv is undoubtedly the best part of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for the split would feel more adult and realistic with less exposition and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting all its marks. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting has potential – but it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
