It is a widely held belief in certain circles that jointly caring for a dog post-separation is ill-advised. Most will argue such situations hinder former couples from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and become annoying across the board. As it turns out, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to become depressed.
While respecting the emotional well-being of our pets – pet parents observe their deep emotional capacity. To witness a masterclass in canine melancholy, consider another performance. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on this conflict holds water is rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and under the guidance of director Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than what it is. This is a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the ambitions remains surface-level. The narrative is destined to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – played by a group of comedic actors – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – think fake snow piled on green trees as a warm climate doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
If these standard ingredients come together into something enjoyable hinges on the actors' work and one's taste for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who scroll endlessly for pet content. Audiences receive a plethora of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the dog, and while this leads to some awkward editing between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, pet moping, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success does not extend for the human side of the story. Its style vacillates between emotional depth, zany antics, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, failing to master a consistent feel. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is fully game the silliness and cringe required by the bizarre setting. He brings a endearing lack of ego that provides much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal comes across as a bit too dry, notably when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Gus the Dog manages looking despondent – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to provide depth to the central romance for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, considering the title character is undoubtedly the best part of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their separation would feel more adult and realistic with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting every expected note. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – even if it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video this December.
