This is a widely held belief among many that jointly caring for a pet post-separation is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such situations hinder ex-partners from finding closure, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and become annoying for all parties. Apparently, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to become depressed.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of animals – many owners speak of their remarkable empathy. For a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, one need only look a past film. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle coping with life in two homes. Whether this premise a full holiday film around this situation works effectively remains debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than its premise. It functions as a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth remains surface-level. The narrative proves to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – featuring familiar faces – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by fake snow piled on verdant foliage as North Carolina substitutes for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
If these familiar elements coalesce into something enjoyable rests upon the actors' work and one's taste for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who scroll endlessly for pet content. It provides a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the dog, and even if it causes some awkward editing between animal action and people's faces, the movie delivers on walking sequences, dog depression, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The tone vacillates between serious study, broad humor, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to any one mode. This is not Charlie Cox, who is fully game the absurd and awkward inherent in the bizarre setting. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that offers much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her Anna seems a touch too detached, especially when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Gus the Dog manages flopping and whining – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a very good boy.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, considering Merv is by far the best part of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for the split could have been more adult and realistic with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie with this canine conflict has potential – even if I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video this December.
