This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that co-parenting a canine companion following a split is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such setups prevent ex-partners from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating across the board. As it turns out, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the canine in question to become depressed.
Without minimizing the inner life of animals – pet parents attest to their deep emotional capacity. If you need prime example in dog sorrow, consider recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult coping with split households. The idea of basing a full holiday film around this situation works effectively is a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than a light film. We have here a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the complexity remains surface-level. Its storyline is destined to be simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – including familiar faces – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – as seen in obvious snow effects clinging to verdant foliage as a summer location substitutes for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these predictable parts come together into an entertaining watch depends on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who seek out for dog videos. It provides a wealth of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the dog, and though it results in some stilted moments between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie delivers on canine party antics, dog depression, and, finally, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success is not earned for the romantic plot. The tone wavers between emotional depth, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and physical comedy, failing to master any one mode. This is not Charlie Cox, who is fully game the absurd and awkward required by the dog resort scenario. He brings a likable self-deprecation that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna can feel a bit too dry, notably when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Merv himself succeeds in acting depressed – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to give weight to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, given that Merv is undoubtedly the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their original breakup might seem more grounded and mature with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting all its marks. Creating a movie with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – even if it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video this December.
