This is a common warning among many that co-parenting a dog post-separation is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such setups impede individuals from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and become annoying for all parties. Apparently, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of animals – pet parents speak of their deep emotional capacity. For a prime example in dog sorrow, simply recall recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix played by Gus the Dog, would struggle adapting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a full holiday film on such a setup holds water remains debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by the writing duo and under the guidance of director Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than its premise. We have here a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the depth is limited. The plot unfolds as straightforward: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will presumably realize the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – played by familiar faces – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Visually has the quality of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – exemplified by fake snow piled on lush pines as a summer location stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
If these familiar elements coalesce into a pleasant experience rests upon the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – those people who seek out for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a series of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the canine star, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie delivers on canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
This level of success cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The tone vacillates between relationship drama, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a consistent feel. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny demanded of the bizarre setting. He brings a charming humility that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal can feel a touch too detached, notably when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Merv himself is convincing at looking despondent – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to give weight to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, since Merv is undoubtedly the cutest element of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their separation would feel more adult and realistic with more screen time and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, hitting every expected note. Making a film with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – though it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video this December.
