It is a widely held belief in certain circles that jointly caring for a canine companion following a split is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such situations hinder former couples from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and become annoying for everyone involved. Seemingly, as a development worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to feel down.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of animals – many owners attest to their deep emotional capacity. If you need standout portrayal in dog sorrow, consider a past film. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to split households. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on such a setup holds water is a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than its premise. We have here a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the complexity is limited. The plot is destined to be uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as the usual assortment of types. Visually carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – exemplified by flurries surrounding green trees as a summer location substitutes for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these predictable parts merge into something enjoyable depends on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is Merv himself, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, dog depression, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The film's approach wavers between serious study, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, not quite landing a single genre. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe inherent in the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that offers much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna comes across as a touch too detached, especially when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Merv himself manages flopping and whining – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The film attempts to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, since Merv is easily the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The reason for the split would feel more grounded and mature with more screen time and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, hitting all its marks. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting is not terrible – though it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
