This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that sharing custody a pet after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such setups prevent former couples from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. As it turns out, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the mental health of our pets – many owners speak of their profound sensitivity. For a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, one need only look recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle coping with life in two homes. Whether this premise a full holiday film around this situation is sustainable remains a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than what it is. This is a holiday release from a corporate studio – the complexity is limited. The narrative proves to be straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – think fake snow clinging to green trees as North Carolina doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these predictable parts merge into a pleasant experience hinges on the strength of the performances and one's taste for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who seek out for dog videos. The film delivers a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the canine star, and even if it causes some stilted moments between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success does not extend for the human side of the story. The film's approach wavers between relationship drama, broad humor, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, failing to master a single genre. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is fully game the absurd and awkward inherent in the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. The character comes across as a bit too dry, especially when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Merv himself succeeds in flopping and whining – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a very good boy.)
The story strives to provide depth to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, considering the title character is by far the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their separation might seem more adult and realistic with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting all its marks. Creating a movie with this canine conflict has potential – but I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video starting December 10.
