This is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that jointly caring for a canine companion after a breakup is ill-advised. Most will argue such setups hinder former couples from finding closure, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for all parties. Apparently, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the canine in question to become depressed.
Not to downplay the mental health of our pets – pet parents speak of their profound sensitivity. If you need prime example in dog sorrow, simply recall a past film. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix played by Gus the Dog, would struggle adapting to life in two homes. The idea of basing a full holiday film on this conflict holds water remains debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, written by its screenwriters and under the guidance of director Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than its premise. This is a holiday release from a corporate studio – the depth are modest. The narrative is destined to be simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – including familiar faces – serve as the usual assortment of types. Visually carries the feel of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – think flurries piled on verdant foliage as a summer location stands in for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these standard ingredients come together into a pleasant experience rests upon the actors' work and an acceptance of comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who scroll endlessly for pet content. The film delivers a wealth of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is Merv himself, and while this leads to some stilted moments between animal action and people's faces, the movie does offer canine party antics, pet moping, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the human side of the story. Its style wavers between relationship drama, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a consistent feel. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny required by the unusual premise. He brings a endearing lack of ego that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal can feel a touch too detached, especially when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Merv himself is convincing at flopping and whining – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a very good boy.)
The story strives to provide depth to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, considering the dog is by far the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their original breakup might seem more grounded and mature with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting all its marks. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting has potential – but it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video on December 10th.