It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that sharing custody a canine companion after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such arrangements impede individuals from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Seemingly, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to become depressed.
While respecting the mental health of our pets – pet parents attest to their remarkable empathy. For a masterclass in pet despair, simply recall another performance. 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 life in two homes. The idea of basing a full holiday film on such a setup is sustainable remains debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of director Swale, never aspires to be anything more than a light film. We have here a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the depth are modest. Its storyline unfolds as simple and direct: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – played by familiar faces – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by flurries surrounding green trees as a summer location stands in for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these standard ingredients coalesce into an entertaining watch rests upon the actors' work and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who scroll endlessly for dog videos. The film delivers a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is Merv himself, and even if it causes some stilted moments between animal action and people's faces, the movie does offer canine party antics, pet moping, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise is not earned for the romantic plot. The film's approach shifts uneasily between serious study, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and physical comedy, failing to master a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe required by the dog resort scenario. He brings a endearing lack of ego that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her Anna seems a bit too dry, particularly when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Merv himself manages acting depressed – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a very good boy.)
Merv tries to add substance to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, considering Merv is easily the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their original breakup would feel more nuanced with more screen time and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting every expected note. Crafting a story with this canine conflict has potential – even if it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform this December.
