It is a widely held belief for numerous people that sharing custody a pet after a breakup is ill-advised. Most will argue such setups hinder former couples from moving forward, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Seemingly, in a revelation worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to become depressed.
While respecting the emotional well-being of our pets – countless people speak of their deep emotional capacity. To witness a standout portrayal in pet despair, consider recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by Gus the Dog, would struggle coping with life in two homes. The idea of basing a full holiday film on such a setup works effectively seems rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than what it is. We have here a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the depth are modest. The plot unfolds as straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they are better together. Side characters – featuring a group of comedic actors – serve as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – as seen in obvious snow effects piled on lush pines as North Carolina substitutes for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these standard ingredients come together into an entertaining watch hinges on the strength of the performances and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who seek out for cute animal clips. It provides a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the canine star, and even if it causes some stilted moments between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie does offer walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise does not extend for the romantic plot. The tone wavers between serious study, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a consistent feel. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the humiliating and funny demanded of the dog resort scenario. He brings a endearing lack of ego that provides much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna seems a bit too dry, notably when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Gus the Dog is convincing at 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 Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, since the title character is by far the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for the split would feel more grounded and mature with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film with this canine conflict is not terrible – even if I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video on December 10th.
