This is a widely held belief among many that jointly caring for a pet post-separation is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such setups impede individuals from moving forward, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. As it turns out, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the mental health of dogs – many owners attest to their remarkable empathy. If you need prime example in dog sorrow, one need only look recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adapting to split households. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on this conflict works effectively is debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than its premise. This is a holiday release from a corporate studio – the complexity remains surface-level. The narrative proves to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will surely realize the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – as seen in flurries surrounding verdant foliage as North Carolina stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
How these standard ingredients come together into an entertaining watch rests upon the actors' work and one's taste for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who browse regularly for pet content. It provides a wealth of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the canine star, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie does offer canine party antics, pet moping, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Human Element
The same praise is not earned for the romantic plot. Its style wavers between emotional depth, zany antics, predictable love story, and silly gags, failing to master any one mode. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward demanded of the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a charming humility that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna comes across as a touch too detached, notably when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, the canine performer is convincing at acting depressed – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, since the dog is easily the cutest element of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for the split might seem more grounded and mature with less exposition and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise has potential – even if it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.