This is a common warning in certain circles that jointly caring for a pet following a split is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such situations prevent ex-partners from finding closure, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Seemingly, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Not to downplay the inner life of our pets – pet parents observe their deep emotional capacity. If you need masterclass in pet despair, consider a past film. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adapting to life in two homes. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom around this situation holds water is rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and directed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than what it is. It functions as a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the ambitions is limited. The narrative proves to be simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will surely realize the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually has the quality of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – think fake snow clinging to verdant foliage as a warm climate stands in for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these standard ingredients merge into an entertaining watch depends on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – the kind who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is Merv himself, and while this leads to some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie delivers on walking sequences, dog depression, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success is not earned for the human side of the story. The tone vacillates between relationship drama, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a single genre. This is not Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny inherent in the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a charming humility that supplies much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. The character can feel a touch too detached, particularly when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, the canine performer succeeds in acting depressed – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to give weight to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, since Merv is easily the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their separation might seem more adult and realistic with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling all its marks. Making a film with this canine conflict is not terrible – but it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
