This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that jointly caring for a canine companion post-separation is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such setups prevent ex-partners from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and become annoying for all parties. As it turns out, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to feel down.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of animals – many owners observe their deep emotional capacity. For a masterclass in dog sorrow, one need only look another performance. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adapting to split households. Whether this premise a full holiday film around this situation works effectively seems rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, written by its screenwriters and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than what it is. This is a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity are modest. The narrative unfolds as simple and direct: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic has the quality of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – think fake snow piled on green trees as a warm climate substitutes for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these standard ingredients come together into a pleasant experience hinges on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who browse regularly for pet content. The film delivers a wealth of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the dog, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie does offer canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise is not earned for the interpersonal drama. Its style shifts uneasily between emotional depth, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, not quite landing a single genre. This is not Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe required by the bizarre setting. His performance contains a charming humility that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal seems a bit too dry, particularly when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself is convincing at looking despondent – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The story strives to give weight to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, since the title character is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The cause for the split would feel more nuanced with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling all its marks. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – but it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video this December.
