This is a common warning in certain circles that sharing custody a pet post-separation is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such arrangements prevent individuals from healing, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. As it turns out, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to experience sadness.
While respecting the mental health of animals – many owners speak of their profound sensitivity. To witness a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, one need only look recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix played by Gus the Dog, would struggle coping with split households. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on this conflict is sustainable seems a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than its premise. We have here a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the depth is limited. Its storyline unfolds as simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – including familiar faces – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – as seen in flurries surrounding verdant foliage as a summer location doubles as a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these standard ingredients come together into something enjoyable depends on the execution and one's taste for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who browse regularly for dog videos. It provides a series of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the dog, and though it results in some stilted moments between animal action and human reaction, the movie delivers on canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise does not extend for the romantic plot. The tone shifts uneasily between emotional depth, zany antics, formulaic romance, and silly gags, not quite landing a single genre. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny demanded of the bizarre setting. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that provides much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna seems a little too aloof, especially when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, the canine performer is convincing at looking despondent – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to give weight to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, given that the title character is easily the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their original breakup could have been more adult and realistic with less exposition and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting has potential – but it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Prime Video this December.
