This is a common warning for numerous people that jointly caring for a pet post-separation is ill-advised. Most will argue such arrangements hinder former couples from moving forward, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and are a nuisance across the board. Apparently, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Without minimizing the mental health of animals – many owners observe their remarkable empathy. If you need prime example in canine melancholy, consider a past film. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adapting to life in two homes. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance around this situation is sustainable seems rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by the writing duo and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than a light film. It functions as a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the complexity is limited. Its storyline proves to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – played by familiar faces – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – think obvious snow effects piled on green trees as North Carolina stands in for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these familiar elements coalesce into an entertaining watch rests upon the actors' work and one's taste for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – the kind who scroll endlessly for pet content. It provides a plethora of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the canine star, and even if it causes some awkward editing between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness does not extend for the romantic plot. The film's approach wavers between emotional depth, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, never fully committing to any one mode. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward inherent in the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a charming humility that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal comes across as a touch too detached, especially when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Merv himself is convincing at flopping and whining – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The story strives to give weight to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, since Merv is by far the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their original breakup might seem more adult and realistic with less exposition and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting all its marks. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting has potential – though it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video this December.
