It is a widely held belief among many that jointly caring for a pet after a breakup is a terrible idea. Most will argue such situations prevent former couples from finding closure, cause practical headaches, 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 our furry friends to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of animals – countless people attest to their deep emotional capacity. If you need prime example in dog sorrow, one need only look recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adapting to split households. If this concept a feature-length romcom around this situation holds water remains debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than what it is. It functions as a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth are modest. Its storyline unfolds as uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will surely rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – including a group of comedic actors – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – as seen in fake snow surrounding verdant foliage as a warm climate substitutes for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
How these standard ingredients merge into a pleasant experience depends on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who browse regularly for cute animal clips. It provides a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the canine star, and though it results in some stilted moments between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success does not extend for the human side of the story. The film's approach vacillates between relationship drama, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, not quite landing any one mode. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe demanded of the dog resort scenario. He brings a endearing lack of ego that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal can feel a bit too dry, notably when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog is convincing at flopping and whining – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a very good boy.)
Merv tries to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, given that the dog is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for the split would feel more nuanced with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise has potential – but it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video on December 10th.
