It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that jointly caring for a pet post-separation is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such setups prevent ex-partners from healing, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for all parties. Apparently, as a development worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the canine in question to become depressed.
While respecting the mental health of our pets – many owners attest to their remarkable empathy. If you need standout portrayal in pet despair, simply recall a past film. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog played by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult coping with life in two homes. If this concept a full holiday film around this situation holds water remains debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than what it is. We have here a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth are modest. Its storyline proves to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they are better together. Side characters – played by familiar faces – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by obvious snow effects piled on verdant foliage as North Carolina stands in for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
How these familiar elements coalesce into a pleasant experience hinges on the execution and one's taste for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – those people who browse regularly for cute animal clips. It provides a series of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the dog, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The film's approach shifts uneasily between emotional depth, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and silly gags, not quite landing any one mode. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the silliness and cringe inherent in the dog resort scenario. He brings a endearing lack of ego that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. The character comes across as a bit too dry, notably when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog succeeds in flopping and whining – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, since the title character is by far the best part of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their original breakup could have been more adult and realistic with more screen time and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling every expected note. Making a film on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – though it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
