This is a widely held belief among many that jointly caring for a dog post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such setups prevent former couples from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and become annoying across the board. As it turns out, as a development suited to a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the mental health of our pets – many owners speak of their profound sensitivity. If you need prime example in pet despair, consider recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time coping with life in two homes. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on such a setup is sustainable is debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than a light film. We have here a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions are modest. Its storyline is destined to be straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – including a group of comedic actors – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic has the quality of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – as seen in fake snow clinging to green trees as North Carolina substitutes for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
If these predictable parts coalesce into an entertaining watch rests upon the actors' work and an acceptance of comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who seek out for pet content. It provides a plethora of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the dog, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie does offer walking sequences, dog depression, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
The same praise does not extend for the human side of the story. The tone shifts uneasily between relationship drama, broad humor, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a consistent feel. This is not Cox's performance, who is fully game the absurd and awkward inherent in the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a charming humility that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her Anna comes across as a bit too dry, especially when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, the canine performer succeeds in looking despondent – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains an excellent dog.)
The story strives to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, since the title character is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for the split might seem more grounded and mature with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – even if it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
