This is a widely held belief for numerous people that jointly caring for a dog post-separation is a terrible idea. Most will argue such setups prevent individuals from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and become annoying for all parties. As it turns out, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to feel down.
Without minimizing the mental health of animals – countless people observe their deep emotional capacity. For a prime example in dog sorrow, simply recall another performance. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog played by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle coping with divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a full holiday film on such a setup works effectively remains rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than what it is. This is a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the ambitions are modest. Its storyline proves to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Side characters – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by obvious snow effects clinging to verdant foliage as a warm climate stands in for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
If these predictable parts coalesce into something enjoyable depends on the actors' work and one's taste for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who scroll endlessly for pet content. Audiences receive a plethora of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is Merv himself, and even if it causes some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, dog depression, and, in the end, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The film's approach shifts uneasily between emotional depth, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, failing to master any one mode. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the absurd and awkward required by the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a charming humility that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. The character can feel a touch too detached, notably when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog manages looking despondent – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a very good boy.)
The story strives to provide depth to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, given that Merv is by far the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their original breakup would feel more grounded and mature with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting every expected note. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting has potential – though it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Prime Video on December 10th.
