It is a common warning for numerous people that jointly caring for a pet post-separation is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such setups hinder former couples from healing, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and become annoying across the board. As it turns out, in a revelation worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to feel down.
Not to downplay the mental health of our pets – countless people observe their profound sensitivity. To witness a masterclass in canine melancholy, simply recall another performance. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult coping with divided living arrangements. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance around this situation holds water remains debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than what it is. It functions as a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions remains surface-level. The narrative is destined to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – including a group of comedic actors – serve as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – think fake snow clinging to verdant foliage as a warm climate substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
If these predictable parts come together into a pleasant experience rests upon the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who scroll endlessly for dog videos. Audiences receive a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the canine star, and while this leads to some stilted moments between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie does offer walking sequences, pet moping, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The tone shifts uneasily between emotional depth, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, failing to master a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is fully game the silliness and cringe demanded of the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that provides much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal can feel a little too aloof, particularly when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Merv himself is convincing at flopping and whining – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a very good boy.)
The story strives to provide depth to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, since the dog is easily the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for the split would feel more nuanced with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting is not terrible – but it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video starting December 10.
