This is a common warning in certain circles that jointly caring for a pet post-separation is a terrible idea. Most will argue such setups prevent ex-partners from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Seemingly, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to feel down.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of our pets – pet parents speak of their remarkable empathy. For a prime example in canine melancholy, simply recall another performance. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult coping with life in two homes. If this concept a full holiday film around this situation works effectively seems debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than its premise. It functions as a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity remains surface-level. The narrative is destined to be straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look has the quality of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – exemplified by flurries clinging to verdant foliage as North Carolina doubles as the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
How these standard ingredients coalesce into a pleasant experience hinges on the execution and an acceptance of easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who scroll endlessly for dog videos. Audiences receive a series of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the dog, and though it results in some awkward editing between animal action and human reaction, the movie does offer canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness does not extend for the human side of the story. The tone shifts uneasily between relationship drama, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, never fully committing to a single genre. This is not Cox's performance, who is fully game the silliness and cringe inherent in the dog resort scenario. He brings a likable self-deprecation that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. The character comes across as a little too aloof, particularly when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself succeeds in flopping and whining – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, considering the dog is undoubtedly the best part of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for the split could have been more nuanced with more screen time and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, hitting all its marks. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting has potential – but it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
