This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that sharing custody a pet post-separation is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such situations hinder individuals from healing, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. Apparently, in a revelation worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of animals – many owners observe their remarkable empathy. For a masterclass in canine melancholy, simply recall another performance. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix played by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time coping with life in two homes. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on such a setup works effectively remains debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than its premise. We have here a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the ambitions is limited. The plot proves to be straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will presumably realize the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – as seen in obvious snow effects clinging to verdant foliage as North Carolina stands in for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
How these predictable parts come together into something enjoyable hinges on the execution and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – the kind who browse regularly for dog videos. The film delivers a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the dog, and though it results in some awkward editing between animal action and human reaction, the movie delivers on canine party antics, pet moping, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness does not extend for the interpersonal drama. Its style wavers between relationship drama, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and silly gags, not quite landing a consistent feel. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe required by the dog resort scenario. He brings a likable self-deprecation that offers much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her Anna comes across as a touch too detached, notably when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Gus the Dog succeeds in acting depressed – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a very good boy.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, since the title character is easily the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their original breakup would feel more nuanced with more screen time and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – even if I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Prime Video on December 10th.
