This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that jointly caring for a canine companion after a breakup is a terrible idea. Most will argue such setups impede ex-partners from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. As it turns out, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the mental health of animals – pet parents observe their deep emotional capacity. If you need masterclass in pet despair, one need only look recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog played by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to life in two homes. If this concept a full holiday film around this situation is sustainable remains debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of the writing duo and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than a light film. It functions as a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the complexity is limited. Its storyline unfolds as straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – played by a group of comedic actors – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by fake snow piled on verdant foliage as a summer location stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these standard ingredients merge into something enjoyable rests upon 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 adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the canine star, and though it results in some clunky cuts between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Human Element
The same praise is not earned for the romantic plot. Its style vacillates between emotional depth, zany antics, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a single genre. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is fully game the humiliating and funny inherent in the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that offers much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. The character comes across as a bit too dry, notably when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog succeeds in acting depressed – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to give weight to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, since the title character is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their original breakup might seem more nuanced with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, hitting all its marks. Making a film on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – though it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Prime Video this December.
