It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that co-parenting a dog post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such setups prevent individuals from healing, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and prove frustrating across the board. Seemingly, as a development suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to become depressed.
While respecting the emotional well-being of dogs – pet parents observe their deep emotional capacity. For a masterclass in canine melancholy, simply recall another performance. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would struggle coping with life in two homes. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance around this situation holds water seems rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than what it is. We have here a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the complexity remains surface-level. The narrative unfolds as uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will presumably realize the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – played by a group of comedic actors – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. The film's look has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – think fake snow surrounding verdant foliage as North Carolina doubles as a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
If these standard ingredients come together into something enjoyable hinges on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who browse regularly for dog videos. Audiences receive a series of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the dog, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between animal action and people's faces, the movie does offer walking sequences, dog depression, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness does not extend for the romantic plot. The tone shifts uneasily between emotional depth, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, never fully committing to a consistent feel. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny demanded of the unusual premise. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna seems a little too aloof, notably when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Merv himself is convincing at looking despondent – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to add substance to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, given that the title character is easily the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for the split would feel more nuanced with less exposition and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting all its marks. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – though I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv streams on Prime Video this December.
