This is a widely held belief among many that jointly caring for a pet following a split is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such situations prevent former couples from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and become annoying for all parties. As it turns out, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to feel down.
Without minimizing the inner life of dogs – many owners observe their deep emotional capacity. If you need masterclass in pet despair, simply recall another performance. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by Gus the Dog, would struggle adapting to life in two homes. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on this conflict holds water is a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and helmed by director Swale, never aspires to be deeper than a light film. We have here a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth remains surface-level. Its storyline proves to be straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic has the quality of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by flurries piled on lush pines as North Carolina stands in for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
If these familiar elements merge into a pleasant experience hinges on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who seek out for dog videos. The film delivers a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the canine star, and though it results in some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, dog depression, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise does not extend for the human side of the story. The film's approach vacillates between serious study, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, not quite landing a single genre. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is fully game the humiliating and funny demanded of the bizarre setting. He brings a endearing lack of ego that offers much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. The character seems a little too aloof, notably when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, the canine performer succeeds in flopping and whining – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, since the dog is undoubtedly the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The reason for the split could have been more grounded and mature with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting every expected note. Creating a movie with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – even if I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video on December 10th.
