This is a widely held belief in certain circles that jointly caring for a dog post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such setups prevent former couples from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and become annoying across the board. Apparently, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of animals – countless people observe their profound sensitivity. To witness a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, simply recall another performance. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adapting to divided living arrangements. If this concept a full holiday film around this situation holds water is a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, the work of the writing duo and directed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than its premise. We have here a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions is limited. The plot proves to be straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – played by familiar faces – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – exemplified by flurries surrounding verdant foliage as a warm climate doubles as the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these predictable parts come together into a pleasant experience depends on the execution and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who browse regularly for pet content. Audiences receive a plethora of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the canine star, and while this leads to some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The tone shifts uneasily between serious study, broad humor, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a single genre. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny inherent in the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that offers much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. The character can feel a touch too detached, particularly when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Merv himself manages acting depressed – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a very good boy.)
The story strives to give weight to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, considering the title character is by far the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for the split might seem more nuanced with more screen time and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, hitting every expected note. Creating a movie with this canine conflict has potential – but it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video this December.
