It is a common warning for numerous people that jointly caring for a dog following a split is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such situations impede former couples from moving forward, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Seemingly, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the canine in question to experience sadness.
While respecting the inner life of animals – pet parents attest to their remarkable empathy. To witness a masterclass in dog sorrow, simply recall another performance. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult coping with life in two homes. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on this conflict is sustainable is debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, written by the writing duo and directed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than a light film. We have here a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the depth remains surface-level. The narrative proves to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – 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 holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – think obvious snow effects piled on verdant foliage as North Carolina stands in for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
How these standard ingredients coalesce into an entertaining watch rests upon the execution and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – the kind who scroll endlessly for dog videos. The film delivers a series of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the canine star, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Human Element
The same praise is not earned for the interpersonal drama. Its style shifts uneasily between relationship drama, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, never fully committing to a single genre. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny demanded of the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a charming humility that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. The character can feel a little too aloof, particularly when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself manages looking despondent – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The story strives to provide depth to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, since Merv is by far the best part of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for the split would feel more nuanced with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – but it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Prime Video starting December 10.
