It is a widely held belief among many that jointly caring for a dog post-separation is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such arrangements prevent ex-partners from finding closure, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for all parties. Apparently, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to feel down.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of our pets – pet parents speak of their remarkable empathy. If you need standout portrayal in dog sorrow, one need only look recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time coping with life in two homes. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on this conflict is sustainable is debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and helmed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than its premise. We have here a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the depth is limited. Its storyline is destined to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as the usual assortment of types. Visually carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – exemplified by fake snow clinging to lush pines as a warm climate substitutes for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
How these familiar elements come together into a pleasant experience rests upon the execution and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – individuals who browse regularly for pet content. Audiences receive a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the canine star, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, dog depression, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The tone shifts uneasily between serious study, broad humor, predictable love story, and physical comedy, not quite landing a single genre. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is fully game the absurd and awkward demanded of the unusual premise. He brings a charming humility that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal comes across as a touch too detached, particularly when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog is convincing at flopping and whining – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to add substance to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, given that the title character is easily the cutest element of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for the split might seem more grounded and mature with more screen time and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, meeting all its marks. Creating a movie with this canine conflict has potential – even if it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Prime Video on December 10th.
