This is a widely held belief for numerous people that jointly caring for a canine companion following a split is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such arrangements hinder ex-partners from moving forward, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and become annoying for all parties. Seemingly, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the canine in question to become depressed.
While respecting the inner life of our pets – many owners observe their remarkable empathy. If you need masterclass in canine melancholy, simply recall a past film. I firmly believe 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 divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a full holiday film on such a setup is sustainable is a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and helmed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than its premise. It functions as a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions remains surface-level. The narrative unfolds as straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – as seen in fake snow piled on verdant foliage as a summer location doubles as a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these standard ingredients come together into a pleasant experience depends on the actors' work and one's taste for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – those people who seek out for cute animal clips. It provides a series of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the dog, and even if it causes 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
This level of success is not earned for the romantic plot. The film's approach wavers between relationship drama, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a consistent feel. This is not Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny demanded of the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. The character comes across as a touch too detached, particularly when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog succeeds in acting depressed – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to add substance to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, considering Merv is by far the best part of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their separation would feel more adult and realistic with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting every expected note. Making a film on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – even if it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video this December.
