This is a widely held belief among many that sharing custody a pet after a breakup is a terrible idea. Most will argue such setups hinder ex-partners from healing, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and prove frustrating across the board. Seemingly, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to feel down.
While respecting the inner life of our pets – countless people attest to their deep emotional capacity. To witness a masterclass in pet despair, consider a past film. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog portrayed by Gus the Dog, would struggle adjusting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a full holiday film on this conflict holds water remains debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of director Swale, never aspires to be deeper than what it is. We have here a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions remains surface-level. The narrative proves to be simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – including familiar faces – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – as seen in fake snow clinging to verdant foliage as a warm climate substitutes for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these predictable parts coalesce into something enjoyable rests upon the actors' work and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – those people who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a wealth of adorable dog montages. The central draw is Merv himself, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, dog depression, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise does not extend for the human side of the story. Its style vacillates between relationship drama, broad humor, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a consistent feel. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny required by the bizarre setting. He brings a endearing lack of ego that provides much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. The character can feel a bit too dry, especially when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Gus the Dog succeeds in flopping and whining – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to add substance to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, since the dog is undoubtedly the best part of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their separation might seem more grounded and mature with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, hitting every expected note. Making a film about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – even if it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Prime Video starting December 10.
