It is a common warning in certain circles that jointly caring for a canine companion post-separation is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such setups hinder former couples from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for all parties. Seemingly, as a development suited to a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Not to downplay the inner life of dogs – many owners attest to their profound sensitivity. For a prime example in pet despair, simply recall a past film. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog played by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adapting to life in two homes. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on such a setup holds water seems rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and helmed by director Swale, never aspires to be more profound than what it is. This is a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the ambitions is limited. Its storyline is destined to be straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as the usual assortment of types. The film's look is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by obvious snow effects piled on green trees as North Carolina stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these predictable parts come together into a pleasant experience hinges on the execution and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who browse regularly for dog videos. Audiences receive a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the canine star, and even if it causes some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, dog depression, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
The same praise cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The tone wavers between relationship drama, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a single genre. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe required by the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna seems a bit too dry, notably when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Merv himself succeeds in looking despondent – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, considering the title character is easily the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for the split would feel more nuanced with less exposition and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Making a film about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – even if it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video this December.
