It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that co-parenting a dog after a breakup is a terrible idea. Most will argue such arrangements hinder former couples from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. Apparently, as a development suited to a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to feel down.
While respecting the mental health of animals – countless people speak of their profound sensitivity. To witness a masterclass in pet despair, one need only look another performance. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by Gus the Dog, would struggle adjusting to split households. If this concept a feature-length romcom on this conflict is sustainable seems rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of director Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than its premise. This is a holiday release from a corporate studio – the complexity remains surface-level. Its storyline unfolds as straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they are better together. Side characters – played by familiar faces – serve as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – think flurries clinging to green trees as a summer location substitutes for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
If these familiar elements merge into an entertaining watch hinges on the actors' work and one's taste for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the canine star, and while this leads to some awkward editing between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
The same praise does not extend for the romantic plot. The tone wavers between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, failing to master a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is fully game the absurd and awkward inherent in the bizarre setting. He brings a endearing lack of ego that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal seems a bit too dry, particularly when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, the canine performer is convincing at looking despondent – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to provide depth to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, since the title character is undoubtedly the cutest element of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their separation would feel more nuanced with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting all its marks. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – even if it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video starting December 10.
