It is a common warning in certain circles that jointly caring for a pet following a split is ill-advised. Most will argue such setups hinder former couples from finding closure, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating across the board. Apparently, as a development suited to a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to feel down.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of dogs – many owners speak of their profound sensitivity. If you need prime example in dog sorrow, simply recall recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type played by Gus the Dog, would struggle coping with split households. Whether this premise a full holiday film on such a setup works effectively remains rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, written by its screenwriters and under the guidance of director Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than what it is. This is a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions is limited. The narrative proves to be uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will surely realize the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – featuring a group of comedic actors – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – exemplified by fake snow clinging to lush pines as a summer location substitutes for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
If these familiar elements coalesce into a pleasant experience rests upon the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who browse regularly for dog videos. It provides a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the dog, and though it results in some awkward editing between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, pet moping, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach shifts uneasily between serious study, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, failing to master a single genre. This is not Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward inherent in the bizarre setting. He brings a charming humility that offers much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. The character seems a bit too dry, notably when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Merv himself is convincing at flopping and whining – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a very good boy.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, given that the dog is by far the cutest element of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for the split could have been more grounded and mature with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting every expected note. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – but it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Prime Video starting December 10.
