It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that jointly caring for a dog following a split is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such arrangements hinder ex-partners from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. As it turns out, as a development suited to a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
While respecting the inner life of animals – pet parents attest to their remarkable empathy. For a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, one need only look recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adjusting to split households. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance around this situation holds water remains a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than a light film. It functions as a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth is limited. Its storyline unfolds as uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (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 undoubtedly realize the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – featuring a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – exemplified by flurries clinging to green trees as a warm climate substitutes for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these standard ingredients merge into an entertaining watch depends on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who seek out for pet content. Audiences receive a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the dog, and while this leads to some stilted moments between animal action and human reaction, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness does not extend for the human side of the story. The tone shifts uneasily between emotional depth, zany antics, predictable love story, and silly gags, not quite landing a single genre. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny demanded of the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. The character seems a little too aloof, particularly when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Merv himself succeeds in looking despondent – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to give weight to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, given that the dog is undoubtedly the best part of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their separation might seem more adult and realistic with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, meeting every expected note. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise has potential – though I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Prime Video starting December 10.
