This is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that jointly caring for a dog following a split is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such setups impede former couples from finding closure, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating across the board. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to feel down.
Not to downplay the mental health of animals – countless people observe their deep emotional capacity. To witness a masterclass in pet despair, consider a past film. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time coping with divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a full holiday film on this conflict holds water remains a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, the work of the writing duo and directed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than a light film. We have here a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth remains surface-level. The narrative unfolds as uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is matched 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 – played by familiar faces – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – think fake snow surrounding green trees as North Carolina substitutes for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these familiar elements coalesce into something enjoyable depends on the execution and an acceptance of comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who seek out for dog videos. The film delivers a plethora of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the dog, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie delivers on walking sequences, pet moping, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise is not earned for the human side of the story. Its style wavers between serious study, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, failing to master any one mode. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward required by the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a charming humility that supplies much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal comes across as a little too aloof, especially when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, the canine performer succeeds in acting depressed – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a very good boy.)
The story strives to add substance to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, since Merv is easily the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their separation might seem more nuanced with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting all its marks. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – though it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
