It is a widely held belief for numerous people that co-parenting a dog following a split is a terrible idea. Most will argue such setups impede former couples from healing, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance across the board. Seemingly, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the canine in question to become depressed.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of animals – pet parents observe their deep emotional capacity. If you need masterclass in pet despair, simply recall recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adjusting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance around this situation holds water remains a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than its premise. This is a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the complexity remains surface-level. Its storyline is destined to be uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – played by a group of comedic actors – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look is reminiscent of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – as seen in flurries piled on green trees as North Carolina doubles as the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
How these familiar elements come together into a pleasant experience hinges on the execution and one's taste for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – those people who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. It provides a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the dog, and even if it causes some stilted moments between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. Its style shifts uneasily between relationship drama, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, not quite landing any one mode. This is not Cox's performance, who is fully game the silliness and cringe inherent in the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. The character comes across as a bit too dry, particularly when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog manages acting depressed – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to provide depth to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, given that the title character is undoubtedly the best part of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for the split might seem more nuanced with less exposition and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling every expected note. Making a film on this shared-custody premise has potential – even if I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video starting December 10.
