This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that jointly caring for a dog after a breakup is ill-advised. Most will argue such setups impede former couples from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and prove frustrating across the board. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Without minimizing the inner life of our pets – countless people observe their deep emotional capacity. For a prime example in dog sorrow, one need only look recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by Gus the Dog, would struggle adapting to life in two homes. Whether this premise a full holiday film on this conflict works effectively seems a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and directed by director Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than its premise. We have here a holiday release from a corporate studio – the ambitions is limited. The plot proves to be straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually has the quality of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – exemplified by flurries surrounding lush pines as a summer location substitutes for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these standard ingredients coalesce into something enjoyable hinges on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who seek out for dog videos. It provides a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the canine star, and while this leads to some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
The same praise cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The film's approach shifts uneasily between serious study, zany antics, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, failing to master a consistent feel. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe required by the dog resort scenario. He brings a charming humility that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal seems a little too aloof, particularly when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Merv himself manages looking despondent – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a very good boy.)
Merv tries to add substance to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, given that the title character is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for the split might seem more adult and realistic with more screen time and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling all its marks. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – even if it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video on December 10th.
