This is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that jointly caring for a canine companion following a split is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such setups prevent former couples from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for all parties. As it turns out, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to become depressed.
While respecting the emotional well-being of our pets – many owners observe their remarkable empathy. For a prime example in dog sorrow, simply recall another performance. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adapting to split households. If this concept a full holiday film around this situation holds water is debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, the work of the writing duo and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than what it is. We have here a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth are modest. The plot unfolds as straightforward: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic has the quality of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – think obvious snow effects surrounding green trees as North Carolina stands in for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
If these familiar elements coalesce into an entertaining watch hinges on the strength of the performances and one's taste for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who browse regularly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a series of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is Merv himself, and though it results in some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie delivers on canine party antics, dog depression, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness is not earned for the romantic plot. The film's approach vacillates between emotional depth, zany antics, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, not quite landing a single genre. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe required by the bizarre setting. He brings a likable self-deprecation that provides much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her Anna can feel a bit too dry, especially when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Gus the Dog is convincing at flopping and whining – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The story strives to provide depth 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 cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their separation might seem more adult and realistic with more screen time and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting every expected note. Crafting a story with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – but it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video starting December 10.
