It is a widely held belief in certain circles that co-parenting a dog following a split is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such situations impede former couples from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for all parties. Apparently, as a development worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
While respecting the emotional well-being of dogs – countless people attest to their deep emotional capacity. If you need masterclass in canine melancholy, simply recall a past film. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to split households. Whether this premise a full holiday film on this conflict works effectively seems debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, written by its screenwriters and directed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than what it is. We have here a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions is limited. The plot unfolds as simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – including familiar faces – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – as seen in fake snow clinging to verdant foliage as North Carolina doubles as a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
If these standard ingredients coalesce into an entertaining watch depends on the execution and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – individuals who browse regularly for dog videos. The film delivers a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the canine star, and while this leads to some awkward editing between animal action and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, dog depression, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
The same praise does not extend for the romantic plot. The tone shifts uneasily between serious study, broad humor, formulaic romance, and silly gags, never fully committing to any one mode. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is fully game the humiliating and funny required by the bizarre setting. He brings a endearing lack of ego that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna can feel a touch too detached, especially when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog is convincing at acting depressed – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to give weight to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, since the title character is undoubtedly the best part of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their original breakup might seem more adult and realistic with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting has potential – but I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video on December 10th.
