This is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that jointly caring for a canine companion post-separation is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such situations prevent former couples from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance across the board. As it turns out, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to feel down.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of dogs – countless people observe their remarkable empathy. If you need masterclass in pet despair, one need only look another performance. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time coping with divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a full holiday film around this situation works effectively seems debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and under the guidance of director Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than a light film. It functions as a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the depth are modest. The narrative proves to be uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic has the quality of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – think flurries piled on verdant foliage as a summer location stands in for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
How these familiar elements merge into a pleasant experience depends on the execution and one's taste for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – the kind who scroll endlessly for dog videos. The film delivers a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the canine star, and even if it causes some awkward editing between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie does offer dog beach fun, pet moping, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
The same praise is not earned for the romantic plot. Its style wavers between relationship drama, broad humor, predictable love story, and physical comedy, failing to master a single genre. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny required by the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna comes across as a touch too detached, notably when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog is convincing at looking despondent – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a very good boy.)
The film attempts to add substance to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, considering the title character is by far the best part of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their original breakup could have been more adult and realistic with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting all its marks. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting is not terrible – though it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
