It is a widely held belief in certain circles that jointly caring for a dog after a breakup is a terrible idea. Most will argue such setups impede individuals from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for all parties. As it turns out, as a development worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the canine in question to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of dogs – countless people speak of their deep emotional capacity. To witness a prime example in canine melancholy, consider another performance. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by Gus the Dog, would struggle coping with divided living arrangements. If this concept a full holiday film on this conflict is sustainable remains debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than what it is. We have here a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions remains surface-level. The plot proves to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – featuring a group of comedic actors – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually carries the feel of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – as seen in obvious snow effects clinging to green trees as a warm climate stands in for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
If these standard ingredients merge into an entertaining watch depends on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – individuals who scroll endlessly for pet content. Audiences receive a series of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is Merv himself, and even if it causes some awkward editing between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, dog depression, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise does not extend for the romantic plot. The tone shifts uneasily between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a single genre. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward required by the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that offers much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal can feel a touch too detached, notably when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog manages flopping and whining – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains an excellent dog.)
The story strives to add substance to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, given that Merv is undoubtedly the cutest element of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for the split could have been more grounded and mature with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling all its marks. Creating a movie with this canine conflict has potential – though it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video on December 10th.
