This is a widely held belief in certain circles that co-parenting a dog following a split is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such setups prevent individuals from healing, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance across the board. Apparently, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to feel down.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of our pets – countless people observe their deep emotional capacity. For a prime example in canine melancholy, one need only look a past film. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog played by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adapting to split households. If this concept an entire Christmas romance around this situation is sustainable is debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than what it is. We have here a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the complexity remains surface-level. The plot unfolds as straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – played by familiar faces – serve as the usual assortment of types. Visually carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – exemplified by obvious snow effects piled on green trees as North Carolina substitutes for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these familiar elements coalesce into an entertaining watch depends on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who browse regularly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a plethora of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the canine star, and while this leads to some awkward editing between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, dog depression, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach wavers between relationship drama, broad humor, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a single genre. This is not Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward required by the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. The character can feel a little too aloof, notably when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, the canine performer manages flopping and whining – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, 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 cause for their separation might seem more nuanced with less exposition and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling every expected note. Making a film on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – but I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv streams on Prime Video starting December 10.
