This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that jointly caring for a dog post-separation is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such setups hinder former couples from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Seemingly, as a development worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to become depressed.
Not to downplay the inner life of our pets – countless people attest to their deep emotional capacity. To witness a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, simply recall another performance. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to split households. Whether this premise a full holiday film around this situation holds water seems rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and helmed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than what it is. It functions as a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the depth is limited. The plot unfolds as uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – exemplified by obvious snow effects surrounding verdant foliage as a summer location doubles as the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these standard ingredients merge into a pleasant experience hinges on the execution and an acceptance of comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who seek out for dog videos. It provides a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the canine star, and even if it causes some stilted moments between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie does offer canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Human Element
The same praise cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The tone vacillates between serious study, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, failing to master a consistent feel. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is fully game the silliness and cringe inherent in the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a charming humility that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal can feel a bit too dry, especially when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, the canine performer is convincing at looking despondent – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to add substance to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, since the title character is easily the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their original breakup could have been more adult and realistic with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Making a film on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – but it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video this December.
