It is a common warning in certain circles that jointly caring for a dog after a breakup is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such situations prevent ex-partners from healing, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and become annoying across the board. As it turns out, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Without minimizing the mental health of animals – countless people attest to their profound sensitivity. If you need prime example in canine melancholy, consider recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix played by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adapting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on such a setup works effectively seems a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than its premise. This is a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions remains surface-level. The plot proves to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will presumably realize the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – including familiar faces – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. The film's look has the quality of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – exemplified by fake snow piled on verdant foliage as North Carolina stands in for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
If these standard ingredients come together into something enjoyable rests upon the execution and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – the kind who browse regularly for pet content. It provides a wealth of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is Merv himself, and while this leads to some awkward editing between animal action and people's faces, the movie does offer dog beach fun, pet moping, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach vacillates between relationship drama, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and physical comedy, never fully committing to any one mode. This is not Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe demanded of the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. The character seems a bit too dry, notably when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, the canine performer is convincing at acting depressed – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a very good boy.)
The story strives to provide depth to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, considering the title character is by far the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The cause for the split might seem more nuanced with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, meeting all its marks. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – even if it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video starting December 10.
