This is a widely held belief among many that jointly caring for a dog post-separation is ill-advised. Most will argue such situations hinder ex-partners from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for all parties. Apparently, in a revelation worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to become depressed.
While respecting the inner life of dogs – countless people attest to their remarkable empathy. To witness a standout portrayal in pet despair, one need only look another performance. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult coping with life in two homes. The idea of basing a full holiday film on this conflict holds water is debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than a light film. This is a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity remains surface-level. Its storyline proves to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – played by a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look has the quality of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – exemplified by fake snow surrounding green trees as North Carolina substitutes for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these familiar elements coalesce into a pleasant experience depends on the strength of the performances and one's taste for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who browse regularly for dog videos. The film delivers a series of adorable dog montages. The central draw is Merv himself, and though it results in some awkward editing between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie does offer walking sequences, pet moping, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Human Element
This level of success does not extend for the human side of the story. The film's approach vacillates between serious study, zany antics, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, failing to master any one mode. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny inherent in the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal seems a bit too dry, particularly when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog manages flopping and whining – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to provide depth to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, since the dog is undoubtedly the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their separation would feel more nuanced with more screen time and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling every expected note. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting has potential – but it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video on December 10th.
