It is a common warning in certain circles that jointly caring for a pet post-separation is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such situations prevent former couples from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. As it turns out, in a revelation worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the canine in question to become depressed.
While respecting the inner life of our pets – pet parents observe their profound sensitivity. To witness a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, simply recall a past film. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to life in two homes. If this concept an entire Christmas romance around this situation is sustainable is a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and helmed by director Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than its premise. It functions as a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the complexity remains surface-level. Its storyline is destined to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will surely realize the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic has the quality of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – think flurries surrounding verdant foliage as a warm climate stands in for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these standard ingredients coalesce into an entertaining watch rests upon the execution and an acceptance of comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who browse regularly for dog videos. It provides a series of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the canine star, and even if it causes some awkward editing between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, dog depression, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Human Element
This level of success does not extend for the romantic plot. The tone shifts uneasily between emotional depth, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and silly gags, never fully committing to a consistent feel. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is fully game the humiliating and funny required by the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a charming humility that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna comes across as a little too aloof, particularly when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog is convincing at looking despondent – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a very good boy.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, given that the dog is easily the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their original breakup might seem more adult and realistic with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, meeting every expected note. Making a film on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – though I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video on December 10th.
