This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that sharing custody a pet after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such setups impede former couples from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for all parties. Seemingly, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Without minimizing the mental health of dogs – many owners observe their deep emotional capacity. To witness a standout portrayal in pet despair, simply recall a past film. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle coping with divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a full holiday film on this conflict holds water remains rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of the writing duo and directed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than its premise. We have here a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions are modest. The narrative proves to be simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – played by a group of comedic actors – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. The film's look carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – think fake snow surrounding lush pines as a warm climate substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these standard ingredients coalesce into something enjoyable hinges on the strength of the performances and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who seek out for pet content. The film delivers a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the canine star, and though it results in some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
The same praise does not extend for the human side of the story. The film's approach wavers between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe required by the dog resort scenario. He brings a likable self-deprecation that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna seems a touch too detached, especially when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, the canine performer succeeds in looking despondent – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to add substance to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, since the title character is by far the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their original breakup could have been more adult and realistic with less exposition and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting all its marks. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting is not terrible – but it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
