This is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that co-parenting a pet following a split is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such setups hinder former couples from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for all parties. Apparently, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to feel down.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of our pets – many owners observe their profound sensitivity. To witness a prime example in dog sorrow, consider another performance. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog played by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle coping with life in two homes. The idea of basing a full holiday film on such a setup holds water remains debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than what it is. This is a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the depth remains surface-level. The narrative 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 therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. The film's look is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by obvious snow effects piled on verdant foliage as North Carolina stands in for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these standard ingredients come together into a pleasant experience depends on the execution and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who seek out for cute animal clips. The film delivers a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is Merv himself, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, dog depression, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success is not earned for the human side of the story. Its style wavers between relationship drama, zany antics, predictable love story, and physical comedy, not quite landing a single genre. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward inherent in the dog resort scenario. He brings a endearing lack of ego that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. The character can feel a touch too detached, notably when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Gus the Dog succeeds in acting depressed – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a very good boy.)
Merv tries to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, considering the dog is by far the best part of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their separation might seem more adult and realistic with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, hitting every expected note. Making a film with this canine conflict has potential – but it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video this December.
