It is a common warning among many that co-parenting a canine companion following a split is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such arrangements hinder ex-partners from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and become annoying for everyone involved. Seemingly, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the inner life of dogs – many owners attest to their profound sensitivity. To witness a prime example in canine melancholy, consider another performance. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog played by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time coping with split households. If this concept a full holiday film on such a setup works effectively is debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and helmed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than what it is. It functions as a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the depth is limited. The plot unfolds as straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – featuring a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look has the quality of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – exemplified by flurries piled on green trees as North Carolina substitutes for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
How these predictable parts coalesce into an entertaining watch hinges on the actors' work and one's taste for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who seek out for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a series of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the canine star, and though it results in some stilted moments between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie delivers on canine party antics, pet moping, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness is not earned for the interpersonal drama. Its style wavers between emotional depth, broad humor, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, failing to master a single genre. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward inherent in the unusual premise. He brings a charming humility that supplies much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. The character seems a touch too detached, especially when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Merv himself manages flopping and whining – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The story strives to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, considering Merv is easily the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their original breakup could have been more grounded and mature with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling all its marks. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – even if I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
