It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that jointly caring for a pet following a split is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such arrangements hinder ex-partners from healing, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for all parties. Apparently, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to feel down.
While respecting the emotional well-being of dogs – countless people speak of their profound sensitivity. To witness a masterclass in canine melancholy, 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 find it difficult coping with life in two homes. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance around this situation is sustainable seems a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than what it is. It functions as a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the ambitions remains surface-level. The narrative unfolds as simple and direct: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – featuring a group of comedic actors – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually carries the feel of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – as seen in obvious snow effects clinging to verdant foliage as a summer location stands in for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these standard ingredients merge into an entertaining watch rests upon the execution and one's taste for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who browse regularly for pet content. Audiences receive a wealth of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the canine star, and while this leads to some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, dog depression, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The tone wavers between relationship drama, zany antics, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a single genre. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward required by the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. The character can feel a touch too detached, particularly when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Merv himself is convincing at flopping and whining – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a very good boy.)
Merv tries to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, given that Merv is by far the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their separation would feel more adult and realistic with more screen time and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling every expected note. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting has potential – even if I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform this December.
