It is a widely held belief in certain circles that jointly caring for a dog after a breakup is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such setups impede ex-partners from finding closure, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Apparently, as a development worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Without minimizing the mental health of our pets – pet parents observe their deep emotional capacity. If you need standout portrayal in pet despair, one need only look another performance. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by Gus the Dog, would struggle adapting to life in two homes. Whether this premise a full holiday film on such a setup is sustainable remains rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and directed by director Swale, never aspires to be anything more than a light film. This is a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the ambitions is limited. Its storyline unfolds as uncomplicated: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – played by familiar faces – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – exemplified by obvious snow effects clinging to lush pines as a warm climate stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
If these standard ingredients come together into an entertaining watch depends on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – individuals who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a series of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the canine star, and while this leads to some awkward editing between animal action and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, pet moping, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise cannot be applied for the human side of the story. Its style wavers between relationship drama, zany antics, predictable love story, and physical comedy, not quite landing a consistent feel. This is not 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 offers much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna seems a touch too detached, particularly when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Merv himself succeeds in looking despondent – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to give weight to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, considering Merv is undoubtedly the best part of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their original breakup would feel more nuanced with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling every expected note. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – though I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video this December.
