It is a widely held belief among many that jointly caring for a pet post-separation is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such arrangements hinder individuals from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Seemingly, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the inner life of animals – countless people speak of their deep emotional capacity. If you need standout portrayal in dog sorrow, consider recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adapting to split households. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on such a setup holds water is debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than a light film. It functions as a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the ambitions remains surface-level. Its storyline proves to be straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – as seen in fake snow piled on lush pines as North Carolina doubles as a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
If these standard ingredients coalesce into an entertaining watch depends on the execution and an acceptance of comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who seek out for cute animal clips. The film delivers a series of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and though it results in some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie delivers on walking sequences, dog depression, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The film's approach shifts uneasily between relationship drama, broad humor, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a consistent feel. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the humiliating and funny demanded of the bizarre setting. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal seems a little too aloof, notably when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog is convincing at flopping and whining – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains an excellent dog.)
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 most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The reason for their separation might seem more adult and realistic with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, meeting every expected note. Making a film about dog co-parenting is not terrible – though I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
