This is a common warning for numerous people that sharing custody a pet post-separation is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such setups prevent ex-partners from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and become annoying across the board. Apparently, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to feel down.
While respecting the emotional well-being of our pets – countless people attest to their deep emotional capacity. If you need prime example in pet despair, one need only look a past film. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog played by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adapting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a full holiday film on such a setup holds water is rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and under the guidance of director Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than what it is. We have here a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity are modest. The plot unfolds as simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will surely realize the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – including a group of comedic actors – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – as seen in fake snow surrounding green trees as North Carolina substitutes for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
How these predictable parts come together into something enjoyable hinges on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – those people who browse regularly for pet content. It provides a plethora of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the dog, and while this leads to some awkward editing between animal action and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, dog depression, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The tone shifts uneasily between serious study, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and silly gags, failing to master a consistent feel. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny inherent in the unusual premise. He brings a likable self-deprecation that supplies much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal can feel a bit too dry, especially when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Gus the Dog is convincing at flopping and whining – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to give weight to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, considering the title character is undoubtedly the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their separation could have been more nuanced with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling every expected note. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting has potential – though it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video this December.
