It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that jointly caring for a dog following a split is ill-advised. Most will argue such arrangements prevent ex-partners from finding closure, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and become annoying for all parties. Apparently, as a development suited to a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to become depressed.
While respecting the mental health of our pets – pet parents observe their profound sensitivity. For a masterclass in dog sorrow, simply recall recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adapting to life in two homes. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on such a setup works effectively seems a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and helmed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than its premise. We have here a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth remains surface-level. The narrative proves to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – played by familiar faces – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – as seen in obvious snow effects piled on verdant foliage as a summer location doubles as the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
How these familiar elements coalesce into something enjoyable depends on the strength of the performances and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. It provides a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the canine star, and even if it causes some awkward editing between animal action and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise does not extend for the human side of the story. The tone vacillates between relationship drama, broad humor, predictable love story, and silly gags, never fully committing to a consistent feel. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny inherent in the dog resort scenario. He brings a endearing lack of ego that provides much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal can feel a touch too detached, especially when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog succeeds in looking despondent – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a very good boy.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, given that the title character is by far the best part of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their separation might seem more nuanced with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Making a film about dog co-parenting has potential – though it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
