This is a common warning in certain circles that co-parenting a canine companion post-separation is ill-advised. Most will argue such arrangements hinder former couples from moving forward, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. As it turns out, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the canine in question to become depressed.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of dogs – many owners attest to their profound sensitivity. For a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, one need only look a past film. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to split households. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on this conflict holds water remains debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, the work of the writing duo and helmed by director Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than its premise. We have here a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the complexity is limited. The narrative is destined to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will surely realize the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – including a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by fake snow clinging to green trees as North Carolina substitutes for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
How these standard ingredients merge into an entertaining watch rests upon the actors' work and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – individuals who scroll endlessly for dog videos. The film delivers a plethora of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is Merv himself, and even if it causes some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie does offer canine party antics, dog depression, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success is not earned for the romantic plot. The film's approach vacillates between emotional depth, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, not quite landing a consistent feel. This is not Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe required by the unusual premise. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal comes across as a touch too detached, particularly when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Gus the Dog manages flopping and whining – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to add substance to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, given that the dog is by far the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for the split might seem more grounded and mature with more screen time and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling all its marks. Crafting a story with this canine conflict has potential – even if I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video this December.
