This is a common warning among many that jointly caring for a pet post-separation is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such setups impede ex-partners from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and become annoying for all parties. Seemingly, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to feel down.
Without minimizing the mental health of our pets – pet parents observe their profound sensitivity. If you need prime example in dog sorrow, one need only look a past film. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adapting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a full holiday film on such a setup is sustainable remains a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, written by the writing duo and directed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than what it is. It functions as a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions remains surface-level. Its storyline proves to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look has the quality of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – exemplified by flurries clinging to lush pines as a summer location substitutes for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these standard ingredients merge into an entertaining watch depends on the execution and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who seek out for pet content. It provides a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the canine star, and even if it causes some awkward editing between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, dog depression, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness does not extend for the human side of the story. The film's approach vacillates between serious study, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a single genre. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward inherent in the bizarre setting. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. The character can feel a little too aloof, notably when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself succeeds in flopping and whining – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, given that Merv is easily the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their original breakup might seem more adult and realistic with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling every expected note. Making a film with this canine conflict has potential – though it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video this December.
