It is a common warning for numerous people that jointly caring for a pet following a split is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such arrangements prevent individuals from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating across the board. Apparently, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to experience sadness.
While respecting the emotional well-being of dogs – countless people speak of their profound sensitivity. To witness a prime example in pet despair, simply recall a past film. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adjusting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on this conflict is sustainable remains debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than a light film. It functions as a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the depth remains surface-level. The narrative unfolds as straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – featuring a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Visually is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – think flurries piled on green trees as a warm climate substitutes for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
If these predictable parts merge into an entertaining watch rests upon the strength of the performances and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – those people who browse regularly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and while this leads to some stilted moments between animal action and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The film's approach wavers between emotional depth, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, never fully committing to a single genre. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is fully game the absurd and awkward required by the bizarre setting. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. The character can feel a little too aloof, especially when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, the canine performer manages looking despondent – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The story strives to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, since the title character is by far the cutest element of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their original breakup would feel more adult and realistic with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling every expected note. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – even if it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
