It is a common warning among many that jointly caring for a dog post-separation is ill-advised. Most will argue such situations impede former couples from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Seemingly, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to become depressed.
While respecting the emotional well-being of animals – countless people speak of their profound sensitivity. To witness a masterclass in pet despair, one need only look another performance. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to split households. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on this conflict works effectively remains a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, written by the writing duo and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than what it is. It functions as a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions remains surface-level. Its storyline is destined to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look has the quality of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – as seen in fake snow clinging to verdant foliage as North Carolina doubles as the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
If these familiar elements come together into an entertaining watch hinges on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who browse regularly for pet content. It provides a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the canine star, and though it results in some awkward editing between animal action and people's faces, the movie delivers on walking sequences, pet moping, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness does not extend for the romantic plot. The film's approach vacillates between relationship drama, broad humor, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, not quite landing any one mode. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe demanded of the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal seems a little too aloof, especially when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, the canine performer manages flopping and whining – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, since Merv is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for the split would feel more adult and realistic with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie with this canine conflict is not terrible – though it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
