This is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that jointly caring for a pet following a split is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such situations impede ex-partners from moving forward, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and become annoying for everyone involved. Seemingly, in a revelation worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to become depressed.
While respecting the mental health of animals – pet parents speak of their deep emotional capacity. For a masterclass in pet despair, consider recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adjusting to split households. Whether this premise a full holiday film on such a setup works effectively remains a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than its premise. This is a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions are modest. The plot unfolds as straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – including a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic has the quality of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – think obvious snow effects surrounding verdant foliage as a warm climate stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
How these standard ingredients come together into something enjoyable rests upon the execution and an acceptance of easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who browse regularly for pet content. Audiences receive a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is Merv himself, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, dog depression, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise is not earned for the romantic plot. Its style wavers between emotional depth, zany antics, predictable love story, and silly gags, failing to master any one mode. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is fully game the absurd and awkward inherent in the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that supplies much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal comes across as a touch too detached, particularly when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Merv himself succeeds in looking despondent – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The story strives to provide depth to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, since the title character is undoubtedly the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for the split might seem more grounded and mature with more screen time and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, hitting all its marks. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting has potential – but it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video on December 10th.
