This 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 situations hinder ex-partners from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. As it turns out, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
While respecting the emotional well-being of animals – pet parents speak of their deep emotional capacity. For a masterclass in dog sorrow, simply recall a past film. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult coping with life in two homes. The idea of basing a full holiday film on such a setup is sustainable is rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than its premise. It functions as a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the complexity is limited. The narrative unfolds as uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by 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. There, inevitably, they will presumably realize the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – including familiar faces – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by flurries surrounding green trees as a summer location doubles as the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
How these standard ingredients merge into something enjoyable depends on the actors' work and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who scroll endlessly for dog videos. It provides a plethora of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the dog, and though it results in some awkward editing between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise cannot be applied for the human side of the story. Its style vacillates between relationship drama, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and physical comedy, not quite landing a consistent feel. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is fully game the humiliating and funny required by the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that supplies much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. The character seems a bit too dry, particularly when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Merv himself succeeds in looking despondent – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, given that the dog is undoubtedly the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The cause for their separation would feel more grounded and mature with less exposition and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise has potential – even if it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Prime Video this December.
