It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that jointly caring for a pet following a split is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such setups impede individuals from healing, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and are a nuisance across the board. As it turns out, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to feel down.
While respecting the mental health of dogs – many owners speak of their profound sensitivity. To witness a prime example in dog sorrow, simply recall another performance. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adapting to split households. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on such a setup holds water remains rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of the writing duo and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than what it is. It functions as a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions remains surface-level. The plot unfolds as simple and direct: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they are better together. Side characters – played by a group of comedic actors – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look is reminiscent of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – think obvious snow effects surrounding verdant foliage as a summer location substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
How these familiar elements coalesce into something enjoyable rests upon the execution and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who browse regularly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie delivers on walking sequences, pet moping, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach wavers between serious study, broad humor, predictable love story, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a consistent feel. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the absurd and awkward demanded of the bizarre setting. He brings a likable self-deprecation that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna can feel a little too aloof, notably when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Merv himself is convincing at acting depressed – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to give weight to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, given that Merv is easily the best part of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The cause for their original breakup might seem more nuanced with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling every expected note. Crafting a story with this canine conflict has potential – even if it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
