It is a widely held belief in certain circles that jointly caring for a canine companion following a split is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such arrangements prevent ex-partners from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for all parties. Seemingly, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to become depressed.
Not to downplay the inner life of animals – countless people speak of their remarkable empathy. To witness a standout portrayal in pet despair, consider another performance. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time coping with split households. If this concept a full holiday film around this situation is sustainable is rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by director Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than a light film. It functions as a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the complexity are modest. Its storyline is destined to be simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look has the quality of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – as seen in fake snow clinging to lush pines as a warm climate doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these familiar elements come together into a pleasant experience depends on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – those people who seek out for pet content. It provides a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the canine star, and though it results in some awkward editing between animal action and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
The same praise cannot be applied for the human side of the story. Its style wavers between serious study, zany antics, predictable love story, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a single genre. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe inherent in the unusual premise. He brings a likable self-deprecation that supplies much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. The character can feel a bit too dry, notably when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Merv himself is convincing at acting depressed – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The story strives to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, considering the title character is easily the best part of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their original breakup would feel more adult and realistic with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting every expected note. Making a film about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – even if it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Prime Video starting December 10.
