This is a common warning in certain circles that jointly caring for a canine companion following a split is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such situations prevent former couples from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and become annoying for everyone involved. Apparently, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to feel down.
Not to downplay the mental health of our pets – many owners observe their deep emotional capacity. To witness a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, one need only look another performance. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adapting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a full holiday film on this conflict works effectively is rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than its premise. It functions as a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions are modest. The narrative proves to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will presumably realize the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic has the quality of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – as seen in obvious snow effects surrounding green trees as a summer location doubles as a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these familiar elements merge into an entertaining watch depends on the actors' work and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – individuals who seek out for pet content. It provides a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the canine star, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between animal action and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness is not earned for the human side of the story. The film's approach shifts uneasily between serious study, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to any one mode. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe inherent in the bizarre setting. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. The character can feel a bit too dry, notably when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Merv himself manages acting depressed – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The story strives to provide depth to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, since the title character is by far the best part of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for the split might seem more nuanced with less exposition and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – but it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
