It is a widely held belief among many that jointly caring for a dog post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such setups hinder ex-partners from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for all parties. Seemingly, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the canine in question to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the mental health of our pets – pet parents speak of their remarkable empathy. For a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, one need only look a past film. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog played by Gus the Dog, would struggle adapting to split households. If this concept a feature-length romcom on this conflict holds water remains debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, the work of the writing duo and under the guidance of director Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than a light film. This is a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the depth remains surface-level. The plot unfolds as simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as the usual assortment of types. Visually has the quality of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by obvious snow effects piled on lush pines as North Carolina doubles as a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
If these familiar elements merge into a pleasant experience hinges on the actors' work and one's taste for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who browse regularly for pet content. The film delivers a series of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is Merv himself, and though it results in some clunky cuts between animal action and human reaction, the movie delivers on walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The tone wavers between relationship drama, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a single genre. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward required by the bizarre setting. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that supplies much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. The character seems a touch too detached, especially when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself manages flopping and whining – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a very good boy.)
The film attempts to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, since the title character is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their separation would feel more grounded and mature with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling every expected note. Crafting a story with this canine conflict is not terrible – but it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video on December 10th.
