This is a widely held belief in certain circles that jointly caring for a dog after a breakup is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such arrangements prevent former couples from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for all parties. Seemingly, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of animals – countless people attest to their remarkable empathy. For a prime example in pet despair, one need only look recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adjusting to divided living arrangements. If this concept a full holiday film on such a setup is sustainable remains a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of the writing duo and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than its premise. This is a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the ambitions is limited. The narrative unfolds as simple and direct: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – played by familiar faces – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look is reminiscent of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – think obvious snow effects surrounding verdant foliage as a warm climate doubles as a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
How these familiar elements merge into a pleasant experience hinges on the execution and one's taste for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who browse regularly for dog videos. The film delivers a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is Merv himself, and though it results in some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie does offer canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Human Element
This level of success does not extend for the human side of the story. The tone wavers between emotional depth, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, failing to master a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is fully game the absurd and awkward required by the unusual premise. He brings a likable self-deprecation that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. The character can feel a bit too dry, particularly when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Gus the Dog manages looking despondent – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The film attempts to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, considering the title character is by far the best part of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for the split might seem more grounded and mature with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film with this canine conflict is not terrible – even if I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Prime Video on December 10th.
