It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that jointly caring for a pet following a split is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such setups hinder individuals from finding closure, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance across the board. Apparently, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to feel down.
Not to downplay the mental health of animals – many owners attest to their deep emotional capacity. To witness a prime example in canine melancholy, one need only look recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type played by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adjusting to life in two homes. The idea of basing a full holiday film on such a setup is sustainable is debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than what it is. It functions as a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the complexity remains surface-level. Its storyline is destined to be straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic has the quality of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – as seen in fake snow clinging to lush pines as a summer location stands in for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these predictable parts merge into an entertaining watch depends on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – the kind who browse regularly for pet content. The film delivers a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is Merv himself, and even if it causes some stilted moments between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The tone vacillates between emotional depth, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, failing to master a single genre. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny inherent in the unusual premise. Cox exhibits 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, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna seems a touch too detached, especially when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog is convincing at looking despondent – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, given that the title character is easily the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their original breakup would feel more nuanced with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting all its marks. Making a film about dog co-parenting is not terrible – even if it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video this December.
