This is a common warning for numerous people that sharing custody a pet post-separation is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such situations hinder ex-partners from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. As it turns out, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to feel down.
Without minimizing the mental health of dogs – countless people observe their profound sensitivity. If you need standout portrayal in canine melancholy, consider recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adapting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a full holiday film on this conflict works effectively is rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, written by its screenwriters and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than a light film. This is a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions are modest. The plot unfolds as straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – including familiar faces – serve as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – think fake snow clinging to lush pines as a summer location substitutes for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
How 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 hones in on a demographic – individuals who browse regularly for dog videos. The film delivers a wealth of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and while this leads to some stilted moments between animal action and human reaction, the movie does offer canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The film's approach vacillates between emotional depth, broad humor, formulaic romance, and silly gags, failing to master a single genre. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe demanded of the bizarre setting. He brings a likable self-deprecation that supplies much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. The character seems a touch too detached, especially when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, the canine performer succeeds in looking despondent – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a very good boy.)
The story strives to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, since the dog is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for the split would feel more grounded and mature with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting every expected note. Creating a movie with this canine conflict is not terrible – though I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video starting December 10.
