It is a widely held belief among many that jointly caring for a pet after a breakup is ill-advised. Most will argue such setups hinder ex-partners from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and become annoying across the board. Seemingly, in a revelation worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the canine in question to become depressed.
While respecting the inner life of our pets – pet parents attest to their profound sensitivity. To witness a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, consider a past film. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adapting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a full holiday film around this situation works effectively remains a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of the writing duo and helmed by director Swale, never aspires to be more profound than its premise. We have here a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the depth remains surface-level. The plot is destined to be straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they are better together. Side characters – played by a group of comedic actors – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by flurries piled on verdant foliage as North Carolina substitutes for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
How these standard ingredients come together into an entertaining watch rests upon the strength of the performances and one's taste for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – those people who scroll endlessly for dog videos. The film delivers a series of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the dog, and though it results in some clunky cuts between animal action and people's faces, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success does not extend for the human side of the story. Its style vacillates between emotional depth, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, not quite landing a single genre. This is not Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward required by the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a charming humility that offers much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal comes across as a bit too dry, particularly when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Gus the Dog is convincing at flopping and whining – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, given that Merv is undoubtedly the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for the split would feel more nuanced with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling all its marks. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise has potential – but it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
