It is a widely held belief for numerous people that sharing custody a pet post-separation is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such setups prevent former couples from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance across the board. Seemingly, as a development worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to feel down.
Without minimizing the mental health of our pets – pet parents attest to their profound sensitivity. If you need prime example in pet despair, simply recall another performance. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog played by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult coping with split households. The idea of basing a full holiday film on such a setup works effectively remains debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than what it is. This is a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the complexity are modest. The plot unfolds as uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – featuring familiar faces – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look is reminiscent of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – as seen in fake snow surrounding verdant foliage as North Carolina doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these familiar elements come together into something enjoyable depends on the strength of the performances and one's taste for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who seek out for pet content. It provides a wealth of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is Merv himself, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, dog depression, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach vacillates between emotional depth, broad humor, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a consistent feel. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward required by the dog resort scenario. He brings a endearing lack of ego that supplies much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. The character seems a little too aloof, notably when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, the canine performer manages flopping and whining – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to give weight to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, since the dog is undoubtedly the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The reason for their separation would feel more nuanced with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting all its marks. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting is not terrible – though I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video starting December 10.
