It is a widely held belief in certain circles that jointly caring for a pet post-separation is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such setups impede individuals from healing, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the mental health of dogs – many owners attest to their remarkable empathy. To witness a masterclass in pet despair, consider another performance. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type played by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a full holiday film on such a setup works effectively is debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, written by its screenwriters and helmed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than a light film. It functions as a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the depth are modest. The narrative is destined to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – featuring familiar faces – serve as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – think obvious snow effects piled on green trees as North Carolina doubles as a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these standard ingredients coalesce into a pleasant experience hinges on the execution and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who browse regularly for dog videos. Audiences receive a series of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is Merv himself, and even if it causes some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie does offer dog beach fun, pet moping, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success does not extend for the interpersonal drama. Its style shifts uneasily between relationship drama, broad humor, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, failing to master any one mode. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe inherent in the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that offers much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal comes across as a little too aloof, particularly when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Merv himself is convincing at looking despondent – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, given that the title character is undoubtedly the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their separation would feel more nuanced with less exposition and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting every expected note. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise has potential – even if it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
