This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that jointly caring for a pet after a breakup is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such arrangements prevent individuals from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Apparently, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to become depressed.
Not to downplay the inner life of dogs – many owners attest to their profound sensitivity. To witness a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, simply recall another performance. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adjusting to split households. If this concept a feature-length romcom on such a setup is sustainable is debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of the writing duo and helmed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than what it is. It functions as a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity is limited. The narrative proves to be straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Side characters – played by a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – as seen in flurries clinging to verdant foliage as a warm climate doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
If these predictable parts merge into something enjoyable hinges on the execution and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – those people who scroll endlessly for dog videos. The film delivers a wealth of adorable dog montages. The central draw is Merv himself, and though it results in some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, dog depression, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
This level of success is not earned for the human side of the story. The film's approach wavers between emotional depth, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, failing to master a single genre. This is not Charlie Cox, who is fully game the silliness and cringe demanded of the unusual premise. He brings a likable self-deprecation that supplies much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. The character can feel a touch too detached, notably when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog succeeds in looking despondent – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to add substance to the central romance for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, considering Merv is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their original breakup would feel more nuanced with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling all its marks. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting is not terrible – but it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video on December 10th.
