It is a common warning among many that jointly caring for a pet post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such situations hinder ex-partners from healing, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. As it turns out, in a revelation worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to feel down.
While respecting the emotional well-being of dogs – countless people attest to their deep emotional capacity. If you need masterclass in pet despair, simply recall a past film. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time coping with life in two homes. If this concept a feature-length romcom on such a setup works effectively remains a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and under the guidance of director Swale, never aspires to be deeper than its premise. It functions as a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the complexity are modest. The narrative unfolds as simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting 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 undoubtedly realize the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – including familiar faces – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – exemplified by flurries clinging to green trees as a warm climate doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
How these familiar elements merge into something enjoyable hinges on the execution and an acceptance of easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who browse regularly for pet content. The film delivers a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the canine star, and though it results in some clunky cuts between animal action and people's faces, the movie delivers on walking sequences, pet moping, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The film's approach shifts uneasily between relationship drama, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, never fully committing to any one mode. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe required by the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a charming humility that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna seems a bit too dry, notably when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Merv himself manages flopping and whining – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a very good boy.)
Merv tries to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, since the title character is by far the best part of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their separation would feel more nuanced with more screen time and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting all its marks. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – even if I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video this December.
