It is a common warning in certain circles that jointly caring for a canine companion following a split is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such arrangements prevent ex-partners from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Apparently, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to become depressed.
While respecting the mental health of dogs – many owners observe their profound sensitivity. For a masterclass in pet despair, simply recall recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog played by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult coping with split households. The idea of basing a full holiday film on such a setup holds water remains a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and directed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than a light film. This is a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth remains surface-level. The narrative unfolds as simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Side characters – including a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Visually is reminiscent of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – exemplified by fake snow surrounding lush pines as a warm climate substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
If these familiar elements come together into something enjoyable rests upon the execution and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – the kind who browse regularly for pet content. The film delivers a series of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the canine star, and though it results in some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie does offer canine party antics, pet moping, and, in the end, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The tone shifts uneasily between relationship drama, zany antics, predictable love story, and silly gags, failing to master a single genre. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward demanded of the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that offers much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. The character seems a bit too dry, particularly when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Merv himself is convincing at flopping and whining – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The story strives to add substance to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, since the title character is undoubtedly the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for the split could have been more nuanced with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting all its marks. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – but it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
