This is a common warning among many that co-parenting a dog post-separation is ill-advised. Most will argue such situations impede ex-partners from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for all parties. Seemingly, as a development worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the canine in question to feel down.
Without minimizing the mental health of our pets – countless people observe their remarkable empathy. If you need masterclass in canine melancholy, one need only look another performance. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adapting to life in two homes. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on this conflict works effectively seems rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than what it is. We have here a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions remains surface-level. The narrative is destined to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – featuring a group of comedic actors – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – think fake snow clinging to verdant foliage as a summer location substitutes for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
If these familiar elements coalesce into a pleasant experience rests upon the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who scroll endlessly for dog videos. Audiences receive a series of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the dog, and even if it causes some awkward editing between animal action and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, dog depression, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach wavers between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a consistent feel. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is fully game the humiliating and funny required by the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a charming humility that offers much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal can feel a little too aloof, notably when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, the canine performer manages looking despondent – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, considering the dog is easily the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their original breakup would feel more grounded and mature with more screen time and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting all its marks. Creating a movie with this canine conflict has potential – even if it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video this December.
