This is a common warning among many that sharing custody a pet after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such setups hinder former couples from finding closure, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and become annoying across the board. Apparently, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to become depressed.
Not to downplay the mental health of dogs – pet parents speak of their profound sensitivity. To witness a prime example in dog sorrow, consider a past film. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time coping with divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on such a setup is sustainable is rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and directed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than its premise. It functions as a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions are modest. The plot unfolds as straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – including familiar faces – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Visually carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – exemplified by obvious snow effects surrounding green trees as a summer location doubles as a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these familiar elements come together into an entertaining watch depends on the execution and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who seek out for pet content. It provides a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the canine star, and though it results in some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, pet moping, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise is not earned for the human side of the story. The tone shifts uneasily between emotional depth, broad humor, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, not quite landing a single genre. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny demanded of the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that offers much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna can feel a bit too dry, particularly when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, the canine performer succeeds in looking despondent – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, since the title character is undoubtedly the best part of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their separation could have been more grounded and mature with less exposition and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, hitting all its marks. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – though it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video on December 10th.
