It is a common warning among many that jointly caring for a dog post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such arrangements impede former couples from moving forward, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and become annoying for all parties. Apparently, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to feel down.
While respecting the inner life of dogs – countless people observe their deep emotional capacity. To witness a masterclass in pet despair, consider recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog played by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to life in two homes. Whether this premise a full holiday film on such a setup holds water is debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than a light film. This is a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions remains surface-level. The plot proves to be straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will surely stumble toward 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. The film's look has the quality of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – exemplified by flurries clinging to green trees as North Carolina doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
How these familiar elements come together into something enjoyable depends on the strength of the performances and one's taste for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who browse regularly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the dog, and while this leads to some stilted moments between animal action and people's faces, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The film's approach vacillates between emotional depth, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and silly gags, never fully committing to a consistent feel. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is fully game the silliness and cringe inherent in the unusual premise. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. The character seems a touch too detached, notably when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Merv himself manages looking despondent – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, since the title character is undoubtedly the best part of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for the split could have been more nuanced with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film with this canine conflict has potential – though it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Prime Video on December 10th.
