This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that co-parenting a dog post-separation is ill-advised. Most will argue such situations hinder former couples from healing, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for all parties. Seemingly, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of our pets – countless people speak of their deep emotional capacity. For a masterclass in pet despair, consider another performance. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog played by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adjusting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on such a setup holds water remains a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than what it is. This is a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the depth remains surface-level. The narrative unfolds as straightforward: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – played by familiar faces – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – as seen in flurries surrounding green trees as North Carolina doubles as a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these predictable parts merge into an entertaining watch depends on the strength of the performances and one's taste for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who scroll endlessly for pet content. The film delivers a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is Merv himself, and though it results in some stilted moments between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on walking sequences, dog depression, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness is not earned for the romantic plot. Its style vacillates between emotional depth, broad humor, formulaic romance, and silly gags, never fully committing to a consistent feel. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward inherent in the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a charming humility that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal seems a bit too dry, particularly when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Gus the Dog succeeds in flopping and whining – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The film attempts to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, given that Merv is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for the split would feel more adult and realistic with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – but it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video starting December 10.
