This is a widely held belief in certain circles that co-parenting a pet after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such situations prevent ex-partners from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for all parties. As it turns out, in a revelation worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to experience sadness.
While respecting the emotional well-being of dogs – countless people speak of their remarkable empathy. If you need standout portrayal in canine melancholy, consider a past film. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adapting to life in two homes. If this concept a full holiday film on this conflict holds water is debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, the work of the writing duo and directed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than what it is. This is a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity remains surface-level. Its storyline proves to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will surely realize the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – featuring a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look has the quality of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – exemplified by flurries clinging to lush pines as a summer location doubles as the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
How these predictable parts merge into something enjoyable rests upon the actors' work and one's taste for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – the kind who scroll endlessly for dog videos. It provides a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is Merv himself, and even if it causes some awkward editing between animal action and people's faces, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success does not extend for the romantic plot. The film's approach wavers between emotional depth, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward required by the bizarre setting. He brings a likable self-deprecation that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal comes across as a little too aloof, notably when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Merv himself manages looking despondent – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, considering Merv is undoubtedly the best part of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their original breakup could have been more nuanced with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting every expected note. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting is not terrible – but it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Prime Video this December.
