It is a widely held belief for numerous people that jointly caring for a pet after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such setups prevent ex-partners from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for all parties. Apparently, as a development worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to become depressed.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of animals – pet parents observe their remarkable empathy. For a masterclass in pet despair, simply recall another performance. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adjusting to life in two homes. The idea of basing a full holiday film on this conflict is sustainable remains a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, written by its screenwriters and helmed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than its premise. We have here a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the complexity remains surface-level. Its storyline is destined to be straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – including familiar faces – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually has the quality of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – exemplified by obvious snow effects clinging to green trees as a warm climate stands in for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
If these predictable parts come together into an entertaining watch hinges on the execution and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who browse regularly for pet content. It provides a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the dog, and while this leads to some stilted moments between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, pet moping, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The tone vacillates between emotional depth, zany antics, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a single genre. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the humiliating and funny demanded of the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a charming humility that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal can feel a bit too dry, particularly when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, the canine performer is convincing at looking despondent – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a very good boy.)
The story strives to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, given that the dog is easily the best part of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for the split could have been more grounded and mature with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting every expected note. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise has potential – even if it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video this December.
