It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that co-parenting a canine companion post-separation is a terrible idea. Most will argue such arrangements hinder ex-partners from healing, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and become annoying for all parties. As it turns out, as a development worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the canine in question to feel down.
While respecting the inner life of dogs – pet parents attest to their profound sensitivity. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, one need only look another performance. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adjusting to life in two homes. If this concept a full holiday film around this situation is sustainable remains rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and directed by director Swale, never aspires to be deeper than a light film. It functions as a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions is limited. Its storyline proves to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will presumably realize the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – including a group of comedic actors – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually has the quality of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – think flurries piled on verdant foliage as a warm climate stands in for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
How these standard ingredients coalesce into a pleasant experience hinges on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who browse regularly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a series of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and though it results in some stilted moments between animal action and people's faces, the movie delivers on canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. Its style shifts uneasily between relationship drama, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, failing to master a consistent feel. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is fully game the silliness and cringe required by the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a charming humility that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her Anna seems a touch too detached, especially when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, the canine performer manages looking despondent – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to add substance to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, since Merv is easily the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their original breakup would feel more adult and realistic with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting every expected note. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – but I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video this December.