It is a common warning among many that jointly caring for a dog post-separation is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such arrangements hinder former couples from moving forward, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and become annoying across the board. Apparently, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the mental health of dogs – pet parents attest to their profound sensitivity. To witness a prime example in pet despair, one need only look another performance. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type played by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adapting to split households. If this concept a feature-length romcom on this conflict holds water seems rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of the writing duo and under the guidance of director Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than its premise. It functions as a holiday release from a corporate studio – the complexity remains surface-level. Its storyline proves to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will surely realize the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – exemplified by flurries clinging to green trees as a warm climate substitutes for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these predictable parts come together into something enjoyable rests upon the actors' work and an acceptance of easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who scroll endlessly for pet content. The film delivers a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the canine star, and while this leads to some awkward editing between animal action and people's faces, the movie does offer dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach wavers between emotional depth, zany antics, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, failing to master any one mode. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the humiliating and funny inherent in the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a charming humility that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. The character comes across as a little too aloof, particularly when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, the canine performer succeeds in looking despondent – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to give weight to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, given that the title character is easily the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for the split could have been more adult and realistic with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, meeting every expected note. Making a film with this canine conflict has potential – though it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
