This is a widely held belief for numerous people that jointly caring for a pet following a split is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such setups hinder former couples from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to become depressed.
Without minimizing the inner life of dogs – countless people observe their profound sensitivity. For a prime example in pet despair, simply recall recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adapting to split households. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on such a setup holds water seems rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, the work of the writing duo and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than a light film. We have here a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the complexity is limited. The narrative proves to be straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will surely realize the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – played by a group of comedic actors – serve as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – think fake snow clinging to lush pines as a warm climate substitutes for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
How these familiar elements coalesce into an entertaining watch depends on the execution and an acceptance of comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who browse regularly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a plethora of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on walking sequences, pet moping, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise is not earned for the romantic plot. Its style vacillates between serious study, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, failing to master any one mode. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the humiliating and funny required by the dog resort scenario. He brings a endearing lack of ego that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal can feel a bit too dry, particularly when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog manages looking despondent – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, given that the title character is easily the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for the split could have been more nuanced with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – but it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Prime Video on December 10th.
