This is a common warning for numerous people that sharing custody a dog following a split is a terrible idea. Most will argue such situations prevent ex-partners from moving forward, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and become annoying for everyone involved. Apparently, as a development worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to feel down.
Not to downplay the mental health of animals – pet parents observe their profound sensitivity. To witness a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, one need only look a past film. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult coping with life in two homes. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on this conflict is sustainable is debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, written by the writing duo and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than what it is. We have here a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the depth are modest. The plot is destined to be simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – including a group of comedic actors – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually carries the feel of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – exemplified by obvious snow effects piled on lush pines as a summer location stands in for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these predictable parts come together into something enjoyable rests upon the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a wealth of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and though it results in some awkward editing between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie does offer dog beach fun, pet moping, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise is not earned for the romantic plot. The tone vacillates between emotional depth, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a single genre. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the humiliating and funny inherent in the unusual premise. He brings a endearing lack of ego that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna can feel a bit too dry, especially when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, the canine performer manages looking despondent – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, since the dog is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their original breakup could have been more grounded and mature with more screen time and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling all its marks. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting is not terrible – but it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Prime Video this December.
