It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that jointly caring for a dog following a split is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such setups hinder individuals from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and become annoying for everyone involved. Apparently, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to feel down.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of animals – many owners attest to their profound sensitivity. For a prime example in dog sorrow, one need only look recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type played by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult coping with life in two homes. The idea of basing a full holiday film around this situation works effectively remains debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and helmed by director Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than its premise. We have here a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the depth remains surface-level. Its storyline is destined to be straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will surely realize the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic has the quality of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – think flurries piled on verdant foliage as North Carolina stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these standard ingredients coalesce into a pleasant experience depends on the actors' work and one's taste for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – individuals who browse regularly for dog videos. The film delivers a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the canine star, and though it results in some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie does offer dog beach fun, dog depression, and, finally, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness does not extend for the interpersonal drama. Its style shifts uneasily between serious study, zany antics, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, not quite landing any one mode. This is not Cox's performance, who is fully game the absurd and awkward required by the bizarre setting. He brings a likable self-deprecation that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal comes across as a bit too dry, especially when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog manages flopping and whining – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, considering Merv is by far the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The reason for the split would feel more adult and realistic with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting is not terrible – even if I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Prime Video on December 10th.
