This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that sharing custody a canine companion after a breakup is ill-advised. Most will argue such setups impede former couples from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for all parties. As it turns out, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to feel down.
Not to downplay the inner life of animals – countless people attest to their remarkable empathy. If you need masterclass in canine melancholy, consider another performance. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog played by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time coping with life in two homes. The idea of basing a full holiday film on such a setup is sustainable seems debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by its screenwriters and helmed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. It functions as a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the depth remains surface-level. The plot proves to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will surely realize the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – including a group of comedic actors – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – think flurries clinging to verdant foliage as a warm climate substitutes for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
How these predictable parts merge into something enjoyable rests upon the execution and an acceptance of easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who browse regularly for dog videos. It provides a series of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the canine star, and even if it causes some awkward editing between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The tone shifts uneasily between emotional depth, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, failing to master a single genre. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward required by the unusual premise. He brings a charming humility that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. The character seems a touch too detached, particularly when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, the canine performer is convincing at acting depressed – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains an excellent dog.)
The story strives to provide depth to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, since Merv is by far the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The reason for the split could have been more adult and realistic with more screen time and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story with this canine conflict is not terrible – though it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Prime Video starting December 10.
