It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that jointly caring for a pet following a split is a terrible idea. Most will argue such situations prevent former couples from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and prove frustrating across the board. Seemingly, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Not to downplay the inner life of animals – pet parents speak of their remarkable empathy. For a prime example in pet despair, simply recall recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to split households. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on this conflict holds water remains debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and directed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than what it is. This is a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the depth remains surface-level. Its storyline unfolds as uncomplicated: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Visually is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – as seen in fake snow piled on green trees as North Carolina stands in for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these familiar elements come together into something enjoyable rests upon the execution and an acceptance of comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who browse regularly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the dog, and while this leads to some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise cannot be applied for the human side of the story. Its style vacillates between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, failing to master any one mode. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is fully game the humiliating and funny required by the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a charming humility that provides much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect 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 bit too dry, notably when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Merv himself is convincing at flopping and whining – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to add substance to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, considering the title character is easily the best part of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The reason for their original breakup could have been more nuanced with more screen time and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting every expected note. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – though I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv streams on Prime Video starting December 10.
