It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that jointly caring for a dog following a split is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such situations hinder individuals from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and become annoying for all parties. As it turns out, as a development worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the canine in question to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the mental health of animals – countless people attest to their profound sensitivity. If you need standout portrayal in pet despair, consider another performance. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adapting to life in two homes. If this concept a full holiday film on such a setup is sustainable is a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than its premise. We have here a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions is limited. The narrative is destined to be straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – played by familiar faces – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – think obvious snow effects clinging to lush pines as a warm climate substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
How these predictable parts coalesce into something enjoyable depends on the execution and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – individuals who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a series of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is Merv himself, and though it results in some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie does offer canine party antics, dog depression, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success does not extend for the interpersonal drama. Its style shifts uneasily between serious study, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and silly gags, not quite landing a single genre. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe inherent in the bizarre setting. He brings a charming humility that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. The character comes across as a bit too dry, especially when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog manages looking despondent – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to add substance to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, since the dog is easily the best part of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their separation might seem more grounded and mature with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – but I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video on December 10th.
