It is a common warning among many that sharing custody a pet following a split is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such situations impede former couples from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Seemingly, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to become depressed.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of animals – pet parents observe their remarkable empathy. If you need masterclass in canine melancholy, consider another performance. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix played by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time coping with life in two homes. Whether this premise a full holiday film around this situation is sustainable remains a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than its premise. It functions as a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth are modest. The plot proves to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – including familiar faces – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – as seen in flurries surrounding verdant foliage as a warm climate doubles as a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
How these standard ingredients coalesce into an entertaining watch hinges on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who seek out for dog videos. Audiences receive a series of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the canine star, and though it results in some awkward editing between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, dog depression, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
This level of success cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The tone wavers between serious study, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a consistent feel. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe required by the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna seems a bit too dry, particularly when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Merv himself manages looking despondent – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still an excellent dog.)
The story strives to add substance to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, given that Merv is by far the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for the split might seem more nuanced with more screen time and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – even if I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video this December.
