This is a common warning among many that sharing custody a canine companion after a breakup is a terrible idea. Most will argue such arrangements hinder former couples from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and become annoying across the board. Apparently, as a development suited to a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the mental health of our pets – pet parents observe their profound sensitivity. If you need masterclass in pet despair, simply recall recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time coping with life in two homes. The idea of basing a full holiday film around this situation holds water remains a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, written by its screenwriters and helmed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than a light film. It functions as a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions are modest. The plot is destined to be straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – including familiar faces – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look carries the feel of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – as seen in flurries surrounding verdant foliage as North Carolina substitutes for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these standard ingredients coalesce into a pleasant experience rests upon the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who scroll endlessly for pet content. Audiences receive a series of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the canine star, and even if it causes some stilted moments between animal action and human reaction, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, dog depression, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach wavers between relationship drama, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a single genre. This is not Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe demanded of the bizarre setting. His performance contains a charming humility that provides much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna comes across as a touch too detached, especially when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, the canine performer is convincing at acting depressed – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a very good boy.)
The story strives to add substance to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, considering the dog is by far the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for the split would feel more grounded and mature with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting all its marks. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise has potential – but it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform this December.
