It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that sharing custody a pet following a split is a terrible idea. Most will argue such situations hinder former couples from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and become annoying across the board. As it turns out, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to feel down.
Not to downplay the mental health of dogs – pet parents speak of their deep emotional capacity. For a prime example in canine melancholy, simply recall a past film. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to split households. The idea of basing a full holiday film around this situation works effectively seems debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and under the guidance of director Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than a light film. This is a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the ambitions is limited. Its storyline proves to be simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look is reminiscent of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – exemplified by fake snow surrounding verdant foliage as a summer location stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
If these standard ingredients coalesce into an entertaining watch hinges on the execution and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – the kind who scroll endlessly for pet content. It provides a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the canine star, and while this leads to some stilted moments between animal action and human reaction, the movie does offer walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
This level of success is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The tone wavers between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, never fully committing to a consistent feel. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny demanded of the unusual premise. He brings a endearing lack of ego that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. The character comes across as a bit too dry, especially when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog manages flopping and whining – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a very good boy.)
Merv tries to give weight to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, considering the dog is by far the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their separation might seem more grounded and mature with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling every expected note. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting has potential – but it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
