This is a widely held belief in certain circles that jointly caring for a canine companion after a breakup is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such situations impede individuals from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. As it turns out, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to feel down.
Without minimizing the mental health of dogs – many owners speak of their remarkable empathy. If you need masterclass in canine melancholy, one need only look another performance. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog played by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adapting to split households. If this concept a full holiday film around this situation holds water is a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and directed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than what it is. This is a holiday release from a corporate studio – the complexity remains surface-level. Its storyline is destined to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted 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 obvious snow effects surrounding lush pines as a warm climate stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
How these predictable parts merge into a pleasant experience hinges on the execution and one's taste for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who seek out for cute animal clips. The film delivers a wealth of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the canine star, and while this leads to some stilted moments between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
The same praise is not earned for the romantic plot. The film's approach wavers between emotional depth, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, failing to master a single genre. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe required by the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a charming humility that provides much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna comes across as a little too aloof, particularly when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Merv himself manages looking despondent – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, since Merv is easily the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for the split would feel more nuanced with more screen time and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling every expected note. Making a film about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – but I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv streams on Prime Video on December 10th.
