This is a widely held belief among many that sharing custody a dog post-separation is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such setups impede individuals from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for all parties. As it turns out, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to feel down.
While respecting the mental health of our pets – many owners observe their remarkable empathy. To witness a prime example in canine melancholy, simply recall another performance. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adapting to split households. The idea of basing a full holiday film on such a setup holds water seems debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than what it is. We have here a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the complexity are modest. The narrative proves to be straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – played by familiar faces – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – as seen in obvious snow effects piled on lush pines as North Carolina doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these standard ingredients merge into a pleasant experience depends 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 plethora of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and even if it causes some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie delivers on canine party antics, pet moping, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The tone vacillates between relationship drama, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and silly gags, not quite landing a single genre. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe required by the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that provides much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal can feel a bit too dry, especially when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Merv himself manages looking despondent – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a very good boy.)
The story strives to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, given that Merv is undoubtedly the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The cause for their original breakup might seem more grounded and mature with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling every expected note. Crafting a story with this canine conflict has potential – though it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Prime Video starting December 10.
