It is a widely held belief among many that jointly caring for a canine companion post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such situations impede former couples from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and become annoying for all parties. Apparently, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the canine in question to feel down.
Without minimizing the inner life of dogs – countless people speak of their remarkable empathy. To witness a masterclass in pet despair, consider recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adjusting to life in two homes. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance around this situation is sustainable remains debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than a light film. We have here a holiday release from a corporate studio – the complexity are modest. Its storyline unfolds as simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will presumably realize the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – played by a group of comedic actors – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – as seen in flurries piled on verdant foliage as North Carolina stands in for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these familiar elements coalesce into a pleasant experience rests upon the actors' work and an acceptance of easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – the kind who browse regularly for pet content. The film delivers a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the dog, and though it results in some awkward editing between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
This level of success is not earned for the romantic plot. The film's approach vacillates between relationship drama, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, failing to master a consistent feel. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe required by the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that offers much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna can feel a touch too detached, notably when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Gus the Dog succeeds in acting depressed – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a very good boy.)
Merv tries to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, given that the title character is undoubtedly the best part of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for the split could have been more grounded and mature with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – though it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
