This is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that jointly caring for a canine companion post-separation is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such situations prevent ex-partners from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and prove frustrating across the board. Seemingly, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the canine in question to experience sadness.
While respecting the inner life of dogs – many owners observe their deep emotional capacity. For a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, one need only look another performance. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by Gus the Dog, would struggle adapting to split households. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance around this situation is sustainable is rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than a light film. This is a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the depth are modest. The narrative unfolds as uncomplicated: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – played by familiar faces – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – exemplified by fake snow piled on lush pines as North Carolina doubles as the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
If these predictable parts come together into something enjoyable hinges on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who browse regularly for pet content. The film delivers a series of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is Merv himself, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie does offer canine party antics, pet moping, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise does not extend for the romantic plot. Its style vacillates between serious study, zany antics, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, not quite landing a consistent feel. This is not Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward inherent in the unusual premise. He brings a endearing lack of ego that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna seems a touch too detached, notably when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Merv himself is convincing at flopping and whining – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, since the dog is easily the best part of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their separation might seem more nuanced with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – even if I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
