It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that jointly caring for a dog after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such situations prevent individuals from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and become annoying for everyone involved. Seemingly, as a development suited to a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the mental health of dogs – pet parents attest to their profound sensitivity. For a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, consider a past film. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by Gus the Dog, would struggle adjusting to split households. The idea of basing a full holiday film on this conflict is sustainable is debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, written by the writing duo and under the guidance of director Swale, never aspires to be deeper than its premise. It functions as a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the depth remains surface-level. The narrative proves to be uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they are better together. Side characters – including familiar faces – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Visually carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – think fake snow surrounding lush pines as North Carolina stands in for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
If these predictable parts come together into a pleasant experience hinges on the execution and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who browse regularly for pet content. The film delivers a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and though it results in some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The tone shifts uneasily between relationship drama, broad humor, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to any one mode. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny inherent in the bizarre setting. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. The character comes across as a little too aloof, notably when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog manages looking despondent – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The film attempts to give weight to the central romance for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, since the title character is undoubtedly the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their original breakup could have been more nuanced with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting every expected note. Making a film about dog co-parenting has potential – though I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video starting December 10.
