This is a widely held belief for numerous people that jointly caring for a pet post-separation is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such arrangements impede ex-partners from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating across the board. Seemingly, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the canine in question to experience sadness.
While respecting the mental health of dogs – many owners speak of their deep emotional capacity. For a prime example in dog sorrow, consider a past film. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog played by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adjusting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance around this situation works effectively is rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, written by the writing duo and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than what it is. We have here a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth remains surface-level. Its storyline proves to be uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – including familiar faces – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic has the quality of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – as seen in flurries clinging to lush pines as a warm climate doubles as a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
How these predictable parts coalesce into a pleasant experience hinges on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who browse regularly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a series of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the dog, and while this leads to some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, dog depression, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success is not earned for the human side of the story. The tone shifts uneasily between serious study, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a consistent feel. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe required by the bizarre setting. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that supplies much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her Anna seems a touch too detached, notably when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, the canine performer manages looking despondent – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a very good boy.)
The story strives to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, given that Merv is by far the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their original breakup could have been more grounded and mature with more screen time and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting all its marks. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting is not terrible – though it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
