It is a common warning for numerous people that jointly caring for a pet after a breakup is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such arrangements hinder individuals from moving forward, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and are a nuisance across the board. Seemingly, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the mental health of animals – countless people observe their profound sensitivity. If you need prime example in pet despair, one need only look recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adapting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on this conflict holds water remains debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than its premise. This is a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the depth remains surface-level. The narrative unfolds as uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – played by familiar faces – serve as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – as seen in fake snow clinging to verdant foliage as a summer location stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these predictable parts coalesce into a pleasant experience hinges on the actors' work and one's taste for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who browse regularly for pet content. It provides a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and while this leads to some awkward editing between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie does offer walking sequences, pet moping, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
This level of success does not extend for the human side of the story. Its style wavers between emotional depth, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, failing to master any one mode. This is not Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe required by the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal seems a bit too dry, notably when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself is convincing at acting depressed – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, since Merv is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for the split might seem more grounded and mature with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting every expected note. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting is not terrible – though it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video on December 10th.
