It is a common warning in certain circles that jointly caring for a pet after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such arrangements hinder former couples from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Seemingly, as a development suited to a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to feel down.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of dogs – pet parents speak of their remarkable empathy. To witness a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, consider recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type played by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult coping with life in two homes. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on such a setup holds water seems rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by director Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than a light film. We have here a holiday release from a corporate studio – the ambitions are modest. Its storyline unfolds as uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they are better together. Side characters – played by a group of comedic actors – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – as seen in fake snow surrounding verdant foliage as North Carolina doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
If these predictable parts coalesce into a pleasant experience hinges on the execution and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – those people who seek out for pet content. Audiences receive a series of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the dog, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between animal action and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise does not extend for the romantic plot. The tone wavers between emotional depth, broad humor, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to any one mode. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny demanded of the bizarre setting. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal can feel a touch too detached, especially when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog is convincing at acting depressed – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, considering Merv is easily the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for the split might seem more grounded and mature with less exposition and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting every expected note. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting has potential – though it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video this December.
