It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that jointly caring for a canine companion following a split is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such setups hinder individuals from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and become annoying across the board. As it turns out, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to become depressed.
Not to downplay the inner life of animals – many owners attest to their profound sensitivity. If you need prime example in pet despair, simply recall a past film. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adapting to life in two homes. Whether this premise a full holiday film on such a setup holds water is a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, the work of the writing duo and under the guidance of director Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than what it is. This is a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the complexity is limited. The narrative unfolds as straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic has the quality of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – think flurries piled on verdant foliage as a summer location doubles as a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
If these predictable parts merge into an entertaining watch depends on the actors' work and one's taste for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – those people who seek out for pet content. The film delivers a wealth of adorable dog montages. The central draw is Merv himself, and even if it causes some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie does offer walking sequences, pet moping, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The tone shifts uneasily between emotional depth, broad humor, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, not quite landing a single genre. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe required by the unusual premise. He brings a likable self-deprecation that provides much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. The character comes across as a touch too detached, especially when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Merv himself succeeds in acting depressed – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The film attempts to add substance to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, since the title character is by far the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for the split might seem more nuanced with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, hitting all its marks. Making a film about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – but I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
