It is a common warning for numerous people that jointly caring for a pet after a breakup is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such setups impede former couples from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and become annoying across the board. Apparently, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of dogs – many owners attest to their deep emotional capacity. If you need standout portrayal in canine melancholy, simply recall a past film. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to divided living arrangements. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on such a setup is sustainable seems a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and helmed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than its premise. This is a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions are modest. The narrative is destined to be straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – including a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by flurries clinging to lush pines as a warm climate stands in for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these predictable parts come together into something enjoyable depends on the actors' work and one's taste for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who browse regularly for dog videos. Audiences receive a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the dog, and while this leads to some stilted moments between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, dog depression, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness does not extend for the interpersonal drama. Its style shifts uneasily between serious study, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, failing to master a single genre. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe required by the unusual premise. His performance contains a charming humility that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna comes across as a little too aloof, notably when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog is convincing at acting depressed – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to give weight to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, considering the dog is easily the cutest element of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their separation could have been more adult and realistic with more screen time and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, meeting all its marks. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – even if I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
