It is a widely held belief for numerous people that co-parenting a canine companion post-separation is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such situations impede individuals from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Apparently, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to feel down.
While respecting the emotional well-being of dogs – pet parents observe their profound sensitivity. For a prime example in canine melancholy, simply recall another performance. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle coping with split households. If this concept a full holiday film on such a setup holds water is debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of director Swale, never aspires to be deeper than a light film. It functions as a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the depth remains surface-level. Its storyline proves to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will surely rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – played by familiar faces – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – as seen in flurries piled on green trees as a summer location doubles as a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
If these familiar elements coalesce into an entertaining watch hinges on the actors' work and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who seek out for dog videos. Audiences receive a series of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the canine star, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on walking sequences, dog depression, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
The same praise does not extend for the human side of the story. Its style wavers between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, failing to master a consistent feel. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is fully game the silliness and cringe inherent in the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. The character can feel a bit too dry, especially when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, the canine performer is convincing at flopping and whining – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a very good boy.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, considering the dog is easily the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their separation would feel more nuanced with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – even if it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video this December.