It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that jointly caring for a canine companion post-separation is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such arrangements impede ex-partners from healing, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating across the board. Apparently, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to become depressed.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of our pets – many owners attest to their deep emotional capacity. If you need standout portrayal in pet despair, consider another performance. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type played by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adjusting to split households. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance around this situation works effectively is a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and directed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than what it is. This is a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the depth remains surface-level. The plot proves to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look carries the feel of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – as seen in fake snow surrounding green trees as a warm climate doubles as a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these standard ingredients coalesce into something enjoyable rests upon the actors' work and one's taste for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who seek out for dog videos. It provides a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the dog, and while this leads to some stilted moments between animal action and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Human Element
This level of success cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The film's approach vacillates between relationship drama, zany antics, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a consistent feel. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is fully game the absurd and awkward inherent in the bizarre setting. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. The character can feel a bit too dry, particularly when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog is convincing at looking despondent – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The story strives to give weight to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, considering the dog is easily the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their original breakup could have been more grounded and mature with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, meeting every expected note. Making a film about dog co-parenting is not terrible – though I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
