It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that jointly caring for a canine companion following a split is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such situations prevent ex-partners from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. As it turns out, in a revelation worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to experience sadness.
While respecting the mental health of animals – pet parents attest to their remarkable empathy. To witness a standout portrayal in pet despair, consider recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a full holiday film around this situation works effectively remains a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than its premise. This is a holiday release from a corporate studio – the ambitions is limited. Its storyline is destined to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will surely rediscover the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – featuring a group of comedic actors – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – think fake snow piled on lush pines as a warm climate stands in for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
If these familiar elements coalesce into something enjoyable hinges on the actors' work and one's taste for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who seek out for pet content. The film delivers a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the canine star, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Human Element
The same praise does not extend for the romantic plot. The film's approach wavers between relationship drama, broad humor, predictable love story, and silly gags, not quite landing a consistent feel. This is not Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny demanded of the unusual premise. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her Anna can feel a touch too detached, especially when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Merv himself succeeds in looking despondent – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a very good boy.)
The film attempts to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, given that Merv is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their original breakup would feel more nuanced with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting all its marks. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise has potential – though it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Prime Video starting December 10.
