It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that sharing custody a pet post-separation is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such situations prevent individuals from healing, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Seemingly, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it also makes our furry friends to become depressed.
Not to downplay the inner life of our pets – countless people speak of their remarkable empathy. For a masterclass in canine melancholy, one need only look a past film. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by Gus the Dog, would struggle adjusting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a full holiday film on such a setup holds water remains a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, written by the writing duo and under the guidance of director Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than what it is. It functions as a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth remains surface-level. Its storyline unfolds as simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – including familiar faces – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – as seen in flurries piled on green trees as North Carolina doubles as a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these standard ingredients merge into something enjoyable depends on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – individuals who browse regularly for pet content. It provides a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the dog, and even if it causes some awkward editing between animal action and people's faces, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The film's approach wavers between emotional depth, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and silly gags, not quite landing a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is fully game the silliness and cringe demanded of the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that supplies much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. The character can feel a little too aloof, particularly when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Merv himself is convincing at acting depressed – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, given that Merv is easily the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their original breakup could have been more grounded and mature with less exposition and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, meeting every expected note. Creating a movie with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – though I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
