This is a widely held belief for numerous people that jointly caring for a canine companion following a split is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such setups impede ex-partners from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and become annoying for everyone involved. As it turns out, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to feel down.
Not to downplay the mental health of our pets – pet parents attest to their profound sensitivity. If you need standout portrayal in dog sorrow, one need only look another performance. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix played by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adapting to life in two homes. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance around this situation holds water seems a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, written by the writing duo and helmed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. This is a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the depth remains surface-level. Its storyline proves to be simple and direct: exes 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 dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will surely rediscover the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – played by familiar faces – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. The film's look has the quality of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – exemplified by flurries surrounding green trees as a warm climate doubles as a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
How these predictable parts coalesce into something enjoyable hinges on the execution and one's taste for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who browse regularly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the canine star, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie delivers on walking sequences, pet moping, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the human side of the story. Its style vacillates between serious study, zany antics, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to any one mode. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is fully game the humiliating and funny inherent in the dog resort scenario. He brings a likable self-deprecation that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna comes across as a little too aloof, notably when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, the canine performer is convincing at flopping and whining – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to provide depth to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, considering the title character is easily the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their separation would feel more nuanced with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – but it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video this December.
