It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that jointly caring for a canine companion after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such situations prevent individuals from healing, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and become annoying for all parties. Apparently, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to become depressed.
While respecting the emotional well-being of our pets – many owners observe their profound sensitivity. To witness a prime example in dog sorrow, one need only look another performance. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type played by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult coping with divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a full holiday film on such a setup works effectively seems debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by director Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than its premise. We have here a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the depth remains surface-level. The narrative proves to be straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is matched 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 are better together. Ensemble players – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – think flurries piled on verdant foliage as a summer location doubles as a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these predictable parts come together into an entertaining watch depends on the execution and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who seek out for pet content. It provides a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the canine star, and while this leads to some stilted moments between animal action and people's faces, the movie does offer canine party antics, dog depression, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness does not extend for the romantic plot. The film's approach shifts uneasily between serious study, zany antics, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a consistent feel. This is not Charlie Cox, who is fully game the silliness and cringe demanded of the bizarre setting. He brings a charming humility that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. The character comes across as a bit too dry, notably when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog succeeds in looking despondent – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to provide depth to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, considering the dog is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their original breakup would feel more grounded and mature with more screen time and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling all its marks. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – even if I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform this December.
