It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that jointly caring for a pet post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such setups impede former couples from finding closure, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and become annoying for everyone involved. As it turns out, as a development worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the mental health of animals – countless people speak of their remarkable empathy. For a prime example in pet despair, consider a past film. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix played by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adjusting to split households. If this concept a full holiday film on this conflict is sustainable remains rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and directed by director Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than its premise. This is a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the depth remains surface-level. Its storyline unfolds as simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – featuring familiar faces – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic has the quality of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – exemplified by fake snow surrounding verdant foliage as North Carolina doubles as a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
If these familiar elements come together into something enjoyable hinges on the strength of the performances and one's taste for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – individuals who seek out for dog videos. The film delivers a series of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is Merv himself, and though it results in some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie does offer walking sequences, dog depression, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise is not earned for the interpersonal drama. Its style vacillates between relationship drama, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a consistent feel. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward inherent in the unusual premise. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. The character comes across as a touch too detached, especially when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Merv himself succeeds in acting depressed – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, given that the dog is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for the split might seem more grounded and mature with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – but I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video starting December 10.
