It is a widely held belief for numerous people that sharing custody a canine companion after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such arrangements impede individuals from healing, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. As it turns out, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to feel down.
While respecting the inner life of our pets – many owners attest to their deep emotional capacity. For a prime example in dog sorrow, simply recall recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog played by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adjusting to divided living arrangements. If this concept a full holiday film around this situation is sustainable is debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, the work of the writing duo and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than what it is. This is a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth are modest. The narrative proves to be straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – played by a group of comedic actors – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – think fake snow clinging to verdant foliage as a summer location doubles as a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
If these standard ingredients come together into something enjoyable hinges on the strength of the performances and one's taste for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – individuals who scroll endlessly for dog videos. Audiences receive a series of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the dog, and though it results in some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie does offer dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness is not earned for the romantic plot. The tone wavers between emotional depth, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, never fully committing to a single genre. This is not Charlie Cox, who is fully game the humiliating and funny demanded of the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal seems a touch too detached, particularly when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog succeeds in acting depressed – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to give weight to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, given that Merv is easily the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for the split might seem more nuanced with less exposition and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting all its marks. Making a film about dog co-parenting has potential – but it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Prime Video this December.
