It is a common warning in certain circles that jointly caring for a pet post-separation is a terrible idea. Most will argue such setups impede individuals from finding closure, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and are a nuisance across the board. As it turns out, as a development suited to a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the mental health of our pets – pet parents speak of their profound sensitivity. For a prime example in canine melancholy, consider a past film. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, 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 around this situation works effectively is a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of director Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than what it is. This is a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the depth is limited. The narrative unfolds as uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – as seen in obvious snow effects clinging to verdant foliage as a warm climate stands in for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these standard ingredients coalesce into something enjoyable rests upon the execution and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who scroll endlessly for pet content. It provides a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is Merv himself, and though it results in some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, dog depression, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness does not extend for the human side of the story. The film's approach wavers between relationship drama, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, failing to master a single genre. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward inherent in the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. The character can feel a touch too detached, notably when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Merv himself manages flopping and whining – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a very good boy.)
Merv tries to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, since the title character is by far the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their original breakup would feel more grounded and mature with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting every expected note. Making a film about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – but I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
