It is a widely held belief among many that jointly caring for a pet after a breakup is a terrible idea. Most will argue such setups hinder former couples from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for all parties. As it turns out, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to become depressed.
Not to downplay the mental health of dogs – many owners attest to their profound sensitivity. For a prime example in pet despair, one need only look another performance. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by Gus the Dog, would struggle coping with divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a full holiday film around this situation holds water remains rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than what it is. We have here a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the ambitions remains surface-level. The narrative unfolds as uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – including familiar faces – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. The film's look is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – exemplified by fake snow surrounding verdant foliage as a warm climate stands in for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
How these predictable parts coalesce into a pleasant experience depends on the strength of the performances and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – individuals who seek out for pet content. It provides a series of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the dog, and while this leads to some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie delivers on walking sequences, pet moping, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Human Element
The same praise is not earned for the romantic plot. Its style wavers between serious study, zany antics, predictable love story, and physical comedy, not quite landing a consistent feel. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is fully game the humiliating and funny demanded of the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that supplies much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna can feel a little too aloof, notably when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself is convincing at flopping and whining – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to give weight to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, since Merv is by far the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their original breakup could have been more nuanced with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling every expected note. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting is not terrible – though I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video on December 10th.
