It is a common warning in certain circles that jointly caring for a pet following a split is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such situations impede former couples from healing, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and become annoying across the board. Apparently, in a revelation worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to feel down.
While respecting the mental health of our pets – pet parents speak of their remarkable empathy. For a masterclass in dog sorrow, one need only look recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on this conflict works effectively remains debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by its screenwriters and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than its premise. It functions as a holiday release from a corporate studio – the complexity are modest. The narrative proves to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – played by familiar faces – 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 visibly contrived – think obvious snow effects clinging to lush pines as a summer location stands in for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these predictable parts coalesce into something enjoyable hinges on the execution and one's taste for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who browse regularly for dog videos. It provides a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the canine star, and though it results in some stilted moments between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, pet moping, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach vacillates between emotional depth, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a consistent feel. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe demanded of the dog resort scenario. He brings a likable self-deprecation that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal seems a bit too dry, especially when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog manages looking despondent – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to give weight to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, since the title character is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their separation would feel more nuanced with more screen time and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting every expected note. Making a film with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – even if I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
