It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that jointly caring for a canine companion following a split is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such setups impede individuals from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating across the board. Seemingly, as a development worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the canine in question to become depressed.
Not to downplay the mental health of dogs – many owners attest to their profound sensitivity. To witness a masterclass in pet despair, one need only look recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adapting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom around this situation works effectively is debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by its screenwriters and helmed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than a light film. This is a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the complexity are modest. The plot proves to be straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – played by a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Visually carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – exemplified by fake snow surrounding verdant foliage as a summer location substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
How these standard ingredients merge into something enjoyable hinges on the actors' work and one's taste for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – the kind who browse regularly for cute animal clips. It provides a wealth of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the canine star, and while this leads to some awkward editing between animal action and people's faces, the movie does offer walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness does not extend for the human side of the story. Its style wavers between emotional depth, broad humor, predictable love story, and silly gags, failing to master any one mode. This is not Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny demanded of the bizarre setting. His performance contains a charming humility that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna can feel a touch too detached, especially when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, the canine performer is convincing at flopping and whining – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, since Merv is easily the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for the split could have been more grounded and mature with less exposition and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise has potential – even if it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video this December.
