It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that jointly caring for a pet after a breakup is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such setups impede ex-partners from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and are a nuisance across the board. Seemingly, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to feel down.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of our pets – many owners observe their deep emotional capacity. To witness a prime example in pet despair, one need only look another performance. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog played by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to split households. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on such a setup holds water seems a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of director Swale, never aspires to be deeper than what it is. It functions as a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity is limited. Its storyline unfolds as straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look has the quality of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – as seen in obvious snow effects surrounding verdant foliage as a warm climate substitutes for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
How these standard ingredients come together into an entertaining watch depends on the actors' work and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who browse regularly for dog videos. The film delivers a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is Merv himself, and even if it causes some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, pet moping, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness does not extend for the interpersonal drama. Its style vacillates between relationship drama, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, failing to master any one mode. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny inherent in the bizarre setting. He brings a likable self-deprecation that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. The character seems a bit too dry, especially when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Gus the Dog manages flopping and whining – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to add substance to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, since the title character is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for the split could have been more adult and realistic with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling every expected note. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting has potential – even if it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video this December.
