It is a widely held belief in certain circles that jointly caring for a canine companion after a breakup is ill-advised. Most will argue such setups hinder former couples from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and are a nuisance across the board. Seemingly, in a revelation worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to feel down.
Not to downplay the mental health of dogs – pet parents speak of their remarkable empathy. To witness a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, simply recall another performance. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adapting to divided living arrangements. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on such a setup holds water remains a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than what it is. We have here a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity are modest. Its storyline is destined to be straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – played by familiar faces – serve as the usual assortment of types. The film's look is reminiscent of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – exemplified by fake snow surrounding lush pines as a summer location stands in for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these predictable parts come together into a pleasant experience depends on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who browse regularly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a series of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the canine star, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, dog depression, and, finally, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The tone vacillates between serious study, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, not quite landing any one mode. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the absurd and awkward demanded of the unusual premise. His performance contains a charming humility that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal seems a touch too detached, notably when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog is convincing at acting depressed – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a very good boy.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, considering Merv is easily the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their original breakup would feel more nuanced with more screen time and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling every expected note. Making a film on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – though it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
