This is a widely held belief for numerous people that co-parenting a pet after a breakup is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such setups impede ex-partners from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and become annoying for all parties. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the mental health of animals – pet parents attest to their remarkable empathy. If you need masterclass in dog sorrow, consider a past film. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to life in two homes. If this concept a feature-length romcom on such a setup works effectively remains rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than what it is. We have here a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the complexity is limited. The plot is destined to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look carries the feel of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by fake snow clinging to green trees as a warm climate doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
How these familiar elements come together into an entertaining watch rests upon the strength of the performances and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who browse regularly for pet content. It provides a series of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the dog, and while this leads to some awkward editing between animal action and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, pet moping, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness is not earned for the romantic plot. The film's approach vacillates between relationship drama, zany antics, predictable love story, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a single genre. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is fully game the silliness and cringe inherent in the unusual premise. His performance contains a charming humility that provides much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her Anna comes across as a touch too detached, notably when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Merv himself is convincing at looking despondent – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, given that the dog is by far the best part of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their original breakup would feel more nuanced with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting every expected note. Creating a movie with this canine conflict is not terrible – though it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
