It is a widely held belief for numerous people that co-parenting a dog following a split is ill-advised. Most will argue such setups hinder ex-partners from healing, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and become annoying for all parties. As it turns out, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the inner life of animals – pet parents attest to their deep emotional capacity. To witness a masterclass in pet despair, simply recall recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by Gus the Dog, would struggle adapting to split households. If this concept a full holiday film on such a setup holds water seems rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than its premise. It functions as a holiday release from a corporate studio – the ambitions remains surface-level. The plot is destined to be simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – played by familiar faces – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by fake snow surrounding verdant foliage as a warm climate stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these predictable parts coalesce into an entertaining watch depends on the actors' work and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who browse regularly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is Merv himself, and though it results in some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie does offer canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
This level of success is not earned for the romantic plot. Its style wavers between serious study, broad humor, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, failing to master a single genre. This is not Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe inherent in the unusual premise. He brings a endearing lack of ego that provides much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal seems a touch too detached, notably when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, the canine performer succeeds in flopping and whining – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, given that the dog is by far the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for the split might seem more grounded and mature with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting every expected note. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – but it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video this December.
