It is a widely held belief for numerous people that co-parenting a dog after a breakup is ill-advised. Most will argue such arrangements hinder former couples from moving forward, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. As it turns out, as a development worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the mental health of our pets – countless people speak of their deep emotional capacity. To witness a masterclass in canine melancholy, simply recall a past film. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time coping with life in two homes. Whether this premise a full holiday film on this conflict is sustainable seems rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by director Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than a light film. It functions as a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions remains surface-level. The narrative is destined to be simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – as seen in flurries surrounding lush pines as a warm climate stands in for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
If these standard ingredients merge into an entertaining watch depends on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – individuals who seek out for dog videos. It provides a plethora of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point 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, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
This level of success does not extend for the interpersonal drama. Its style vacillates between emotional depth, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a single genre. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe required by the unusual premise. He brings a charming humility that supplies much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal comes across as a touch too detached, notably when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Merv himself succeeds in flopping and whining – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The story strives to provide depth to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, given that the dog is by far the cutest element of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their separation would feel more grounded and mature with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, meeting all its marks. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – but it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Prime Video starting December 10.
