It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that sharing custody a pet following a split is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such situations prevent ex-partners from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and prove frustrating across the board. Seemingly, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to become depressed.
While respecting the emotional well-being of animals – pet parents observe their deep emotional capacity. For a masterclass in dog sorrow, one need only look another performance. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adjusting to life in two homes. The idea of basing a full holiday film around this situation holds water remains rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by the writing duo and directed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than its premise. It functions as a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth is limited. The plot proves to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Visually is reminiscent of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – as seen in fake snow piled on green trees as a warm climate doubles as the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
How these familiar elements coalesce into a pleasant experience depends on the actors' work and an acceptance of comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. It provides a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the canine star, and while this leads to some stilted moments between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, dog depression, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
The same praise cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The tone vacillates between emotional depth, broad humor, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, failing to master a consistent feel. This is not Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward demanded of the bizarre setting. He brings a charming humility that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal comes across as a bit too dry, notably when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Gus the Dog is convincing at flopping and whining – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The film attempts to give weight to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, given that Merv is undoubtedly the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for the split might seem more adult and realistic with more screen time and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting every expected note. Creating a movie with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – but it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
