This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that jointly caring for a dog post-separation is a terrible idea. Most will argue such situations prevent individuals from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and become annoying for all parties. Seemingly, as a development suited to a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to become depressed.
Without minimizing the inner life of our pets – pet parents speak of their remarkable empathy. If you need prime example in canine melancholy, simply recall recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type played by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time coping with divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a full holiday film on such a setup works effectively remains rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of the writing duo and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than a light film. It functions as a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions is limited. The narrative unfolds as straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – featuring a group of comedic actors – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic has the quality of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – exemplified by flurries surrounding lush pines as a summer location doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these familiar elements merge into a pleasant experience hinges on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – the kind who seek out for pet content. The film delivers a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is Merv himself, and though it results in some clunky cuts between animal action and human reaction, the movie delivers on walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The tone wavers between relationship drama, broad humor, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a single genre. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny inherent in the unusual premise. His performance contains a charming humility that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. The character can feel a bit too dry, notably when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, the canine performer manages looking despondent – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to add substance to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, since Merv is easily the cutest element of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The cause for their separation would feel more grounded and mature with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting every expected note. Making a film on this shared-custody premise has potential – though it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
