It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that co-parenting a pet after a breakup is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such setups prevent ex-partners from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Seemingly, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Without minimizing the inner life of our pets – countless people speak of their profound sensitivity. If you need prime example in canine melancholy, one need only look another performance. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to life in two homes. The idea of basing a full holiday film on such a setup holds water is debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and directed by director Swale, never aspires to be deeper than a light film. It functions as a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions are modest. Its storyline proves to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – featuring a group of comedic actors – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic has the quality of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by flurries surrounding verdant foliage as a warm climate stands in for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these predictable parts come together into a pleasant experience hinges on the actors' work and one's taste for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – individuals who scroll endlessly for dog videos. It provides a plethora of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the canine star, and even if it causes some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, pet moping, and, finally, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The tone shifts uneasily between relationship drama, broad humor, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a consistent feel. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the humiliating and funny inherent in the unusual premise. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal can feel a little too aloof, especially when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Merv himself succeeds in acting depressed – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a very good boy.)
Merv tries to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, considering the title character is easily the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their original breakup could have been more grounded and mature with more screen time and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling every expected note. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise has potential – though it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
