This is a widely held belief among many that jointly caring for a dog post-separation is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such arrangements prevent ex-partners from moving forward, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and are a nuisance across the board. As it turns out, as a development suited to a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to feel down.
While respecting the inner life of our pets – countless people attest to their profound sensitivity. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, consider a past film. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to split households. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on such a setup works effectively is debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, written by its screenwriters and directed by director Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than a light film. This is a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the ambitions are modest. The narrative is destined to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually carries the feel of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by fake snow clinging to verdant foliage as a summer location stands in for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
How these familiar elements merge into something enjoyable rests upon the execution and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – individuals who seek out for dog videos. Audiences receive a series of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the canine star, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie does offer dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success does not extend for the interpersonal drama. Its style shifts uneasily between relationship drama, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, failing to master any one mode. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe required by the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a charming humility that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her Anna comes across as a touch too detached, particularly when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Merv himself is convincing at flopping and whining – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to give weight to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, since Merv is undoubtedly the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their original breakup would feel more nuanced with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – though it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video starting December 10.
