This is a widely held belief for numerous people that co-parenting a dog after a breakup is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such situations prevent former couples from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for all parties. Apparently, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to feel down.
Not to downplay the inner life of our pets – countless people speak of their remarkable empathy. For a prime example in dog sorrow, simply recall recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adapting to life in two homes. Whether this premise a full holiday film on this conflict holds water seems debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by its screenwriters and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than a light film. This is a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the complexity remains surface-level. The narrative proves to be simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will presumably realize the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – played by a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look is reminiscent of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – think flurries piled on lush pines as a warm climate doubles as a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
How these standard ingredients coalesce into something enjoyable depends on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – those people who seek out for pet content. It provides a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is Merv himself, and even if it causes some stilted moments between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie delivers on walking sequences, dog depression, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
The same praise does not extend for the romantic plot. The tone vacillates between emotional depth, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a single genre. This is not Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward demanded of the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a charming humility that offers much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. The character comes across as a touch too detached, particularly when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Merv himself is convincing at acting depressed – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a very good boy.)
The film attempts to add substance to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, considering Merv is by far the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their separation could have been more grounded and mature with less exposition and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling all its marks. Creating a movie with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – though I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video this December.
