This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that jointly caring for a dog post-separation is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such setups prevent former couples from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and are a nuisance across the board. As it turns out, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to become depressed.
While respecting the inner life of our pets – countless people attest to their remarkable empathy. To witness a prime example in dog sorrow, one need only look recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adapting to split households. If this concept a full holiday film on such a setup works effectively seems a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, the work of the writing duo and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than what it is. We have here a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity remains surface-level. Its storyline unfolds as simple and direct: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look carries the feel of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – think fake snow piled on lush pines as North Carolina stands in for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
If these familiar elements merge into an entertaining watch rests upon the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – individuals who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the canine star, and though it results in some clunky cuts between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, dog depression, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
The same praise cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach shifts uneasily between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a single genre. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the silliness and cringe demanded of the dog resort scenario. He brings a likable self-deprecation that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna comes across as a touch too detached, notably when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Gus the Dog succeeds in looking despondent – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to give weight to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, considering Merv is easily the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for the split might seem more adult and realistic with less exposition and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting all its marks. Making a film on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – but it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
