This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that jointly caring for a dog following a split is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such setups hinder individuals from finding closure, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance across the board. As it turns out, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the inner life of dogs – many owners attest to their deep emotional capacity. If you need prime example in canine melancholy, one need only look recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix played by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adapting to divided living arrangements. If this concept a full holiday film on such a setup holds water is rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than what it is. It functions as a holiday release from a corporate studio – the depth is limited. The narrative 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 matched by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – featuring a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Visually is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – exemplified by flurries piled on verdant foliage as North Carolina doubles as the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these predictable parts coalesce into an entertaining watch hinges on the execution and one's taste for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – the kind who browse regularly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the canine star, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on canine party antics, dog depression, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise is not earned for the human side of the story. Its style wavers between serious study, zany antics, predictable love story, and physical comedy, not quite landing any one mode. This is not Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward required by the bizarre setting. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna seems a bit too dry, particularly when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Merv himself is convincing at flopping and whining – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a very good boy.)
Merv tries to add substance to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, considering the title character is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their original breakup could have been more adult and realistic with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting every expected note. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting is not terrible – though I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video starting December 10.
