This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that jointly caring for a dog following a split is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such situations impede ex-partners from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for all parties. Seemingly, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to feel down.
While respecting the emotional well-being of dogs – pet parents attest to their deep emotional capacity. If you need prime example in dog sorrow, one need only look recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog played by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a full holiday film on such a setup holds water remains rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than a light film. It functions as a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the depth remains surface-level. The narrative unfolds as straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – including familiar faces – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – think fake snow clinging to lush pines as a warm climate doubles as a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these predictable parts come together into an entertaining watch hinges on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who scroll endlessly for pet content. Audiences receive a plethora of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on canine party antics, dog depression, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Human Element
The same praise does not extend for the romantic plot. The film's approach vacillates between relationship drama, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to any one mode. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny demanded of the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. The character can feel a little too aloof, notably when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Merv himself succeeds in looking despondent – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to add substance to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, since the dog is undoubtedly the cutest element of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for the split might seem more grounded and mature with more screen time and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting all its marks. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise has potential – but it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
