It is a widely held belief among many that jointly caring for a pet post-separation is ill-advised. Most will argue such situations prevent individuals from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and become annoying across the board. Seemingly, as a development worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the mental health of our pets – countless people attest to their remarkable empathy. For a prime example in canine melancholy, one need only look a past film. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adjusting to split households. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on this conflict works effectively is rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by its screenwriters and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than what it is. We have here a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth remains surface-level. Its storyline unfolds as straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Side characters – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Visually has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – think obvious snow effects piled on lush pines as a warm climate doubles as a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these familiar elements merge into an entertaining watch depends on the strength of the performances and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who seek out for dog videos. It provides a plethora of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the canine star, and even if it causes some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie does offer dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness is not earned for the interpersonal drama. Its style shifts uneasily between emotional depth, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and silly gags, failing to master a consistent feel. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny demanded of the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her Anna comes across as a touch too detached, especially when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, the canine performer is convincing at looking despondent – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The story strives to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, given that Merv is undoubtedly the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for the split might seem more nuanced with more screen time and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – though it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
