It is a widely held belief among many that jointly caring for a pet following a split is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such situations hinder ex-partners from moving forward, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Seemingly, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it also makes our furry friends to feel down.
While respecting the inner life of our pets – countless people attest to their remarkable empathy. If you need masterclass in pet despair, simply recall recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog played by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle coping with split households. If this concept a feature-length romcom on such a setup holds water remains a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than its premise. It functions as a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the depth are modest. The plot proves to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – featuring a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Visually is reminiscent of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by fake snow surrounding lush pines as a warm climate stands in for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
How these standard ingredients come together into something enjoyable rests upon the strength of the performances and one's taste for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who seek out for pet content. Audiences receive a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the canine star, and though it results in some awkward editing between animal action and human reaction, the movie delivers on canine party antics, dog depression, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise is not earned for the human side of the story. The tone vacillates between relationship drama, zany antics, predictable love story, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a consistent feel. This is not Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe required by the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a charming humility that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her Anna can feel a little too aloof, particularly when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Merv himself manages flopping and whining – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a very good boy.)
The story strives to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, given that Merv is easily the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their original breakup could have been more adult and realistic with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – but it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
