This is a widely held belief in certain circles that jointly caring for a pet following a split is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such arrangements hinder individuals from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. As it turns out, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the mental health of dogs – pet parents attest to their profound sensitivity. If you need prime example in canine melancholy, consider another performance. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog played by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adapting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a full holiday film around this situation works effectively is a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than a light film. It functions as a holiday release from a corporate studio – the ambitions remains surface-level. Its storyline proves to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Side characters – including a group of comedic actors – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – as seen in fake snow piled on green trees as a warm climate stands in for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these familiar elements merge into a pleasant experience depends on the actors' work and an acceptance of comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – those people who scroll endlessly for dog videos. It provides a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the dog, and though it results in some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie does offer canine party antics, pet moping, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
This level of success cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The tone shifts uneasily between emotional depth, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, never fully committing to a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe required by the unusual premise. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal comes across as a bit too dry, notably when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Merv himself succeeds in acting depressed – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a very good boy.)
Merv tries to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, since Merv is undoubtedly the best part of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their separation would feel more nuanced with less exposition and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting all its marks. Making a film about dog co-parenting is not terrible – though it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
