It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that jointly caring for a pet following a split is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such arrangements impede former couples from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. As it turns out, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to feel down.
While respecting the mental health of dogs – pet parents attest to their profound sensitivity. For a prime example in canine melancholy, consider another performance. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by Gus the Dog, would struggle adapting to divided living arrangements. If this concept a feature-length romcom on this conflict is sustainable remains rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than a light film. It functions as a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the complexity is limited. Its storyline is destined to be uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will surely realize the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – including a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – as seen in fake snow piled on verdant foliage as North Carolina doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
How these familiar elements coalesce into an entertaining watch depends on the execution and one's taste for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who browse regularly for cute animal clips. It provides a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is Merv himself, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, dog depression, and, finally, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness does not extend for the romantic plot. The film's approach wavers between emotional depth, zany antics, predictable love story, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a consistent feel. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny inherent in the bizarre setting. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that offers much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her Anna seems a touch too detached, especially when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Merv himself manages acting depressed – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to add substance to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, given that the title character is undoubtedly the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The reason for the split could have been more nuanced with less exposition and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting all its marks. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – but it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
