It is a common warning in certain circles that sharing custody a pet post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such arrangements hinder former couples from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and prove frustrating across the board. Apparently, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to become depressed.
Without minimizing the mental health of our pets – countless people speak of their deep emotional capacity. For a prime example in dog sorrow, simply recall another performance. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog played by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time coping with divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a full holiday film on such a setup holds water seems debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and under the guidance of director Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than its premise. This is a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the complexity is limited. Its storyline unfolds as simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will presumably realize the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – played by familiar faces – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually carries the feel of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – as seen in flurries piled on verdant foliage as a warm climate stands in for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
How these familiar elements come together into a pleasant experience rests upon the execution and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – the kind 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 what the dog does and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, dog depression, and, in the end, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness does not extend for the romantic plot. The tone vacillates between relationship drama, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, failing to master any one mode. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is fully game the silliness and cringe demanded of the bizarre setting. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that provides much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. The character seems a little too aloof, notably when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, the canine performer is convincing at acting depressed – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a very good boy.)
The story strives to provide depth to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, considering the dog is undoubtedly the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their separation might seem more grounded and mature with less exposition and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling all its marks. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting is not terrible – even if it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video starting December 10.
