This is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that jointly caring for a pet post-separation is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such arrangements prevent individuals from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and prove frustrating across the board. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of our pets – pet parents observe their profound sensitivity. For a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, one need only look another performance. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type played by Gus the Dog, would struggle adjusting to split households. If this concept a full holiday film on such a setup is sustainable remains a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and directed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than a light film. It functions as a holiday release from a corporate studio – the complexity remains surface-level. The narrative is destined to be straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – played by a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – think fake snow clinging to lush pines as North Carolina substitutes for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
If these familiar elements coalesce into a pleasant experience hinges on the execution and one's taste for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who browse regularly for pet content. It provides a series of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the dog, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, pet moping, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
This level of success does not extend for the human side of the story. Its style shifts uneasily between serious study, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and silly gags, never fully committing to a single genre. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward required by the bizarre setting. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal can feel a bit too dry, especially when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, the canine performer manages acting depressed – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The story strives to give weight to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, since the title character is by far the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for the split might seem more adult and realistic with more screen time and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, meeting all its marks. Making a film about dog co-parenting has potential – but it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video this December.
