It is a widely held belief in certain circles that jointly caring for a pet following a split is ill-advised. Most will argue such arrangements hinder individuals from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for all parties. As it turns out, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of dogs – pet parents speak of their deep emotional capacity. For a masterclass in dog sorrow, simply recall recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adapting to divided living arrangements. If this concept a full holiday film around this situation holds water seems a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than a light film. This is a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the ambitions remains surface-level. The plot proves to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – played by a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look carries the feel of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – as seen in obvious snow effects surrounding green trees as North Carolina stands in for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
How these familiar elements come together into a pleasant experience rests upon the actors' work and one's taste for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – those people who browse regularly for dog videos. The film delivers a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the canine star, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on canine party antics, dog depression, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness does not extend for the human side of the story. Its style shifts uneasily between relationship drama, broad humor, predictable love story, and silly gags, not quite landing any one mode. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny inherent in the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna can feel a bit too dry, notably when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Merv himself manages flopping and whining – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to add substance to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, since the title character is easily the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for the split could have been more grounded and mature with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, meeting every expected note. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – though it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
