This is a widely held belief among many that jointly caring for a dog after a breakup is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such situations prevent individuals from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and become annoying across the board. As it turns out, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the canine in question to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the mental health of animals – pet parents observe their deep emotional capacity. For a prime example in dog sorrow, simply recall another performance. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle coping with life in two homes. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on such a setup is sustainable remains rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and helmed by director Swale, never aspires to be anything more than its premise. We have here a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the complexity remains surface-level. The narrative is destined to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – including a group of comedic actors – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – exemplified by fake snow clinging to lush pines as a summer location substitutes for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these standard ingredients coalesce into a pleasant experience depends on the execution and one's taste for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who scroll endlessly for pet content. Audiences receive a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the canine star, and though it results in some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, pet moping, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
The same praise is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach wavers between relationship drama, broad humor, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, never fully committing to any one mode. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward demanded of the dog resort scenario. He brings a charming humility that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna comes across as a bit too dry, notably when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Merv himself is convincing at flopping and whining – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a very good boy.)
Merv tries to add substance to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, since the title character is by far the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for the split could have been more adult and realistic with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, hitting all its marks. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – but it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video this December.
