It is a widely held belief in certain circles that sharing custody a pet following a split is a terrible idea. Most will argue such arrangements impede ex-partners from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Apparently, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of our pets – many owners speak of their deep emotional capacity. To witness a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, consider another performance. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adjusting to split households. The idea of basing a full holiday film on this conflict holds water remains rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of director Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than a light film. We have here a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth is limited. Its storyline unfolds as simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – including a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – as seen in fake snow surrounding verdant foliage as North Carolina doubles as a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
How these familiar elements merge into an entertaining watch hinges on the actors' work and one's taste for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – individuals who browse regularly for pet content. The film delivers a plethora of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is Merv himself, and though it results in some stilted moments between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. Its style wavers between serious study, zany antics, formulaic romance, and silly gags, never fully committing to any one mode. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward inherent in the dog resort scenario. He brings a endearing lack of ego that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal can feel a bit too dry, especially when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself is convincing at acting depressed – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to add substance to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, given that Merv is undoubtedly the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their original breakup might seem more grounded and mature with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting every expected note. Making a film with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – even if I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform this December.
