It is a widely held belief for numerous people that co-parenting a dog following a split is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such setups hinder former couples from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance across the board. As it turns out, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to become depressed.
While respecting the inner life of dogs – pet parents speak of their deep emotional capacity. To witness a prime example in canine melancholy, consider a past film. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle coping with split households. Whether this premise a full holiday film on this conflict is sustainable is a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and directed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than its premise. We have here a holiday release from a corporate studio – the complexity remains surface-level. The plot unfolds as uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will surely realize the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – including familiar faces – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – as seen in fake snow clinging to lush pines as North Carolina doubles as a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
If these predictable parts come together into an entertaining watch depends on the execution and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – individuals who browse regularly for cute animal clips. It provides a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the canine star, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie does offer dog beach fun, pet moping, and, finally, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness is not earned for the romantic plot. The film's approach shifts uneasily between relationship drama, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, failing to master a single genre. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is fully game the silliness and cringe required by the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna seems a touch too detached, especially when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Merv himself manages looking despondent – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, given that the dog is undoubtedly the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their separation would feel more adult and realistic with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – though it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Prime Video this December.
