It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that jointly caring for a pet post-separation is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such setups hinder individuals from finding closure, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and become annoying for everyone involved. As it turns out, in a revelation worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to feel down.
Not to downplay the mental health of our pets – pet parents speak of their remarkable empathy. If you need standout portrayal in dog sorrow, simply recall recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog played by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adapting to split households. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance around this situation is sustainable is rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than its premise. It functions as a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the complexity remains surface-level. The plot proves to be straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Side characters – featuring familiar faces – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – think fake snow clinging to green trees as a warm climate doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these predictable parts come together into something enjoyable depends on the execution and an acceptance of comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – individuals who browse regularly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a wealth of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the dog, and while this leads to some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie does offer walking sequences, pet moping, and, in the end, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach shifts uneasily between relationship drama, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a single genre. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is fully game the absurd and awkward required by the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that offers much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her Anna comes across as a touch too detached, notably when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Merv himself succeeds in looking despondent – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to give weight to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, given that the dog is easily the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their original breakup might seem more grounded and mature with more screen time and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, meeting every expected note. Making a film on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – though it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video this December.
