It is a widely held belief among many that jointly caring for a pet post-separation is ill-advised. Most will argue such situations impede individuals from healing, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and become annoying for everyone involved. As it turns out, as a development suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to feel down.
While respecting the mental health of animals – pet parents observe their remarkable empathy. For a prime example in pet despair, simply recall recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle coping with split households. If this concept a full holiday film on such a setup holds water is a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than what it is. This is a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the depth is limited. The plot unfolds as simple and direct: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – played by familiar faces – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – as seen in flurries clinging to lush pines as North Carolina stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these familiar elements merge into an entertaining watch rests upon the strength of the performances and an acceptance of easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who scroll endlessly for dog videos. The film delivers a series of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is Merv himself, and while this leads to some stilted moments between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie does offer walking sequences, dog depression, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness is not earned for the interpersonal drama. Its style shifts uneasily between relationship drama, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a single genre. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is fully game the humiliating and funny inherent in the unusual premise. He brings a charming humility that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her Anna can feel a bit too dry, particularly when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, the canine performer succeeds in acting depressed – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The story strives to add substance to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, given that the dog is by far the best part of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their original breakup might seem more adult and realistic with less exposition and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Making a film with this canine conflict has potential – but I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
