It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that jointly caring for a pet following a split is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such arrangements hinder former couples from moving forward, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for all parties. As it turns out, as a development suited to a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to experience sadness.
While respecting the emotional well-being of animals – many owners observe their profound sensitivity. If you need masterclass in pet despair, consider recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time coping with divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a full holiday film on this conflict is sustainable is a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than its premise. It functions as a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth is limited. The plot proves to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – featuring a group of comedic actors – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic has the quality of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – think fake snow clinging to verdant foliage as a summer location doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
How these familiar elements merge into something enjoyable hinges on the actors' work and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – individuals who browse regularly for pet content. Audiences receive a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the dog, and though it results in some stilted moments between animal action and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, finally, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The tone wavers between relationship drama, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a consistent feel. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe required by the unusual premise. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that provides much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her Anna seems a bit too dry, notably when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Merv himself succeeds in acting depressed – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, since the dog is undoubtedly the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their separation might seem more grounded and mature with more screen time and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting all its marks. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise has potential – but it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video starting December 10.
