It is a widely held belief among many that jointly caring for a dog post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such arrangements prevent ex-partners from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and become annoying for all parties. As it turns out, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to become depressed.
Without minimizing the inner life of dogs – pet parents speak of their profound sensitivity. For a masterclass in dog sorrow, simply recall another performance. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type played by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult coping with divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom around this situation is sustainable remains a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and directed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than its premise. This is a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity is limited. Its storyline unfolds as straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – think flurries surrounding verdant foliage as North Carolina substitutes for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these standard ingredients coalesce into a pleasant experience hinges on the actors' work and an acceptance of comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – individuals who seek out for cute animal clips. The film delivers a series of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is Merv himself, and though it results in some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, dog depression, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The tone wavers between emotional depth, zany antics, predictable love story, and physical comedy, failing to master a single genre. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward inherent in the bizarre setting. He brings a charming humility that provides much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal can feel a bit too dry, particularly when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, the canine performer succeeds in acting depressed – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains an excellent dog.)
The story strives to provide depth to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, considering the title character is easily the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their original breakup might seem more adult and realistic with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting all its marks. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – but I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
