This is a common warning among many that jointly caring for a dog post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such setups prevent ex-partners from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance across the board. As it turns out, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to experience sadness.
While respecting the emotional well-being of dogs – many owners observe their remarkable empathy. For a masterclass in canine melancholy, consider recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix played by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult coping with split households. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on such a setup holds water is a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than its premise. We have here a holiday release from a corporate studio – the ambitions is limited. The plot unfolds as simple and direct: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – featuring a group of comedic actors – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually has the quality of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – think obvious snow effects piled on green trees as a summer location doubles as a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
How these familiar elements come together into something enjoyable rests upon the actors' work and one's taste for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – those people who seek out for cute animal clips. The film delivers a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is Merv himself, and while this leads to some awkward editing between animal action and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The film's approach shifts uneasily between serious study, zany antics, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a single genre. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe required by the unusual premise. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that offers much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. The character seems a little too aloof, notably when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Merv himself is convincing at looking despondent – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The story strives to provide depth to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, given that the title character is undoubtedly the best part of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their separation might seem more grounded and mature with less exposition and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, meeting every expected note. Making a film about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – but it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video starting December 10.
