This is a common warning for numerous people that co-parenting a canine companion after a breakup is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such setups hinder ex-partners from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for all parties. Seemingly, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to become depressed.
Not to downplay the inner life of dogs – pet parents attest to their remarkable empathy. For a prime example in canine melancholy, one need only look a past film. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type played by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adapting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a full holiday film on such a setup is sustainable is a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than its premise. We have here a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the depth remains surface-level. The plot unfolds as straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they are better together. Side characters – featuring familiar faces – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually carries the feel of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – as seen in flurries piled on green trees as North Carolina stands in for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these standard ingredients come together into an entertaining watch depends on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who browse regularly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a series of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the canine star, and though it results in some awkward editing between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie does offer canine party antics, pet moping, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
The same praise is not earned for the romantic plot. The film's approach shifts uneasily between serious study, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, failing to master a consistent feel. This is not Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward demanded of the bizarre setting. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. The character seems a bit too dry, especially when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Merv himself manages flopping and whining – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to give weight to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, given that the title character is by far the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for the split might seem more nuanced with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting every expected note. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise has potential – even if it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video this December.
