It is a widely held belief for numerous people that jointly caring for a dog following a split is a terrible idea. Most will argue such arrangements prevent former couples from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Apparently, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to feel down.
Not to downplay the inner life of our pets – pet parents speak of their remarkable empathy. For a masterclass in pet despair, one need only look recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adapting to life in two homes. The idea of basing a full holiday film on such a setup holds water is rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than a light film. We have here a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity is limited. Its storyline is destined to be uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look is reminiscent of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – as seen in fake snow clinging to green trees as North Carolina stands in for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
If these standard ingredients coalesce into an entertaining watch hinges on the execution and one's taste for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who scroll endlessly for dog videos. The film delivers a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the dog, and though it results in some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on walking sequences, dog depression, and, finally, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success does not extend for the interpersonal drama. Its style wavers between serious study, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a single genre. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is fully game the humiliating and funny demanded of the dog resort scenario. He brings a likable self-deprecation that offers much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. The character seems a bit too dry, notably when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Merv himself is convincing at looking despondent – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to give weight to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, since Merv is by far the best part of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The catalyst for the split could have been more adult and realistic with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting all its marks. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise has potential – but it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video on December 10th.
