It is a widely held belief among many that jointly caring for a pet after a breakup is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such situations prevent ex-partners from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for all parties. Seemingly, in a revelation worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to feel down.
Not to downplay the inner life of our pets – countless people speak of their profound sensitivity. If you need prime example in dog sorrow, one need only look a past film. There is little doubt that a dog like 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 around this situation works effectively seems rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than what it is. We have here a holiday release from a corporate studio – the ambitions remains surface-level. The narrative is destined to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – including a group of comedic actors – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – think obvious snow effects surrounding lush pines as a warm climate substitutes for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these standard ingredients merge into an entertaining watch depends on the execution and an acceptance of comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who browse regularly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a plethora of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the dog, and even if it causes some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, dog depression, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Human Element
This level of success is not earned for the romantic plot. The tone wavers between serious study, broad humor, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is fully game the silliness and cringe demanded of the bizarre setting. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that offers much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. The character comes across as a touch too detached, especially when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Merv himself succeeds in flopping and whining – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a very good boy.)
The film attempts to add substance to the central romance for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, since Merv is by far the cutest element of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their original breakup would feel more adult and realistic with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling every expected note. Making a film on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – though it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video this December.
