It is a widely held belief in certain circles that co-parenting a pet post-separation is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such setups hinder ex-partners from finding closure, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and become annoying for everyone involved. Seemingly, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to become depressed.
Not to downplay the inner life of dogs – many owners speak of their remarkable empathy. To witness a standout portrayal in pet despair, one need only look a past film. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle coping with split households. If this concept a full holiday film around this situation works effectively remains debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than its premise. It functions as a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity is limited. The narrative proves to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – played by a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – as seen in flurries surrounding verdant foliage as a warm climate doubles as the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these familiar elements come together into something enjoyable depends on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – those people who scroll endlessly for pet content. It provides a series of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is Merv himself, and while this leads to some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie does offer canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, finally, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise is not earned for the romantic plot. Its style shifts uneasily between serious study, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, not quite landing any one mode. This is not Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward demanded of the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a charming humility that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal comes across as a touch too detached, notably when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Merv himself manages flopping and whining – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a very good boy.)
Merv tries to give weight to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, given that the title character is easily the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their original breakup could have been more grounded and mature with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, meeting every expected note. Making a film on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – even if it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Prime Video this December.
