This is a widely held belief among many that jointly caring for a pet post-separation is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such setups impede former couples from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for all parties. Apparently, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the inner life of animals – pet parents attest to their profound sensitivity. For a prime example in pet despair, simply recall another performance. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adjusting to divided living arrangements. If this concept a full holiday film on such a setup works effectively is debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, the work of the writing duo and directed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than a light film. It functions as a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth is limited. Its storyline is destined to be straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – played by a group of comedic actors – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic 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 the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
If these standard ingredients come together into an entertaining watch depends on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the dog, and while this leads to some awkward editing between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie does offer canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Human Element
The same praise does not extend for the romantic plot. Its style vacillates between emotional depth, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to any one mode. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward required by the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that offers much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her Anna comes across as a little too aloof, especially when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself is convincing at looking despondent – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to give weight to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, given that the title character is by far the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The cause for the split could have been more grounded and mature with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, meeting all its marks. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise has potential – but I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
