It is a widely held belief for numerous people that sharing custody a dog following a split is a terrible idea. Most will argue such setups impede former couples from healing, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and prove frustrating across the board. Apparently, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it also makes our furry friends to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the inner life of our pets – countless people attest to their remarkable empathy. To witness a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, one need only look another performance. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adapting to split households. If this concept a full holiday film around this situation works effectively remains debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than what it is. It functions as a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the ambitions remains surface-level. Its storyline is destined to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – played by a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually has the quality of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – think fake snow piled on green trees as North Carolina substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these familiar elements coalesce into an entertaining watch depends on the actors' work and one's taste for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who seek out for pet content. It provides a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the dog, and though it results in some clunky cuts between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie does offer dog beach fun, pet moping, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success is not earned for the interpersonal drama. Its style shifts uneasily between relationship drama, broad humor, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to any one mode. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is fully game the humiliating and funny inherent in the bizarre setting. His performance contains a charming humility that provides much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal comes across as a little too aloof, particularly when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Merv himself is convincing at acting depressed – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to give weight to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, given that the dog is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their separation could have been more adult and realistic with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting every expected note. Creating a movie with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – but it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video starting December 10.
