This is a widely held belief among many that jointly caring for a pet following a split is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such situations impede ex-partners from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. Seemingly, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to feel down.
While respecting the emotional well-being of our pets – many owners speak of their remarkable empathy. To witness a prime example in pet despair, consider a past film. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adjusting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on such a setup works effectively seems debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than what it is. It functions as a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the depth is limited. The plot proves to be simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – as seen in fake snow clinging to verdant foliage as North Carolina doubles as the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
How these familiar elements coalesce into something enjoyable rests upon the strength of the performances and one's taste for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who browse regularly for dog videos. It provides a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and though it results in some awkward editing between what the dog does and the actors' responses, 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. Its style vacillates between serious study, broad humor, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a consistent feel. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the silliness and cringe required by the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a charming humility that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. The character seems a touch too detached, especially when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, the canine performer manages flopping and whining – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a very good boy.)
The film attempts to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, considering Merv is easily the best part of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The reason for the split might seem more adult and realistic with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling all its marks. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – even if it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
