It is a common warning in certain circles that sharing custody a pet after a breakup is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such arrangements hinder individuals from healing, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and become annoying across the board. As it turns out, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the canine in question to become depressed.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of our pets – pet parents attest to their profound sensitivity. If you need prime example in canine melancholy, one need only look another performance. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog brought to life by Gus the Dog, would struggle adjusting to life in two homes. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on this conflict works effectively remains rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and directed by director Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than what it is. We have here a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the depth is limited. The plot unfolds as straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – played by familiar faces – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – as seen in fake snow clinging to lush pines as a warm climate stands in for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
How these standard ingredients come together into something enjoyable hinges on the execution and an acceptance of easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – individuals who seek out for pet content. The film delivers a series of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is Merv himself, and even if it causes some awkward editing between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, dog depression, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Human Element
The same praise cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The tone wavers between emotional depth, zany antics, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, failing to master a consistent feel. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe inherent in the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that offers much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal comes across as a little too aloof, particularly when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, the canine performer manages flopping and whining – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, since the dog is undoubtedly the best part of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their original breakup would feel more adult and realistic with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting all its marks. Crafting a story with this canine conflict is not terrible – but I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video starting December 10.
