This is a widely held belief for numerous people that jointly caring for a dog following a split is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such arrangements impede individuals from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for all parties. Seemingly, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to feel down.
Not to downplay the mental health of our pets – many owners speak of their deep emotional capacity. If you need prime example in dog sorrow, simply recall a past film. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to split households. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on this conflict is sustainable is a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and directed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. This is a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth is limited. The plot is destined to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look is reminiscent of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – think fake snow surrounding verdant foliage as a warm climate doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these predictable parts merge into a pleasant experience hinges on the actors' work and one's taste for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who browse regularly for dog videos. The film delivers a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is Merv himself, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on canine party antics, pet moping, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness is not earned for the romantic plot. The tone wavers between serious study, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, never fully committing to a single genre. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny demanded of the unusual premise. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that offers much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal seems a bit too dry, especially when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, the canine performer is convincing at looking despondent – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to give weight to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, considering the title character is by far the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for the split could have been more nuanced with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling all its marks. Creating a movie with this canine conflict is not terrible – but it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
