It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that jointly caring for a canine companion post-separation is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such situations prevent former couples from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. As it turns out, as a development suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to become depressed.
While respecting the mental health of our pets – pet parents attest to their remarkable empathy. To witness a masterclass in canine melancholy, simply recall another performance. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog played by Gus the Dog, would struggle coping with divided living arrangements. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on such a setup holds water remains debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and helmed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than its premise. It functions as a holiday release from a corporate studio – the ambitions are modest. Its storyline unfolds as uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – think fake snow surrounding lush pines as North Carolina stands in for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these familiar elements coalesce into something enjoyable rests upon the actors' work and an acceptance of comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who browse regularly for cute animal clips. It provides a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on canine party antics, pet moping, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The tone shifts uneasily between serious study, broad humor, formulaic romance, and silly gags, never fully committing to any one mode. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward demanded of the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal seems a touch too detached, notably when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, the canine performer succeeds in flopping and whining – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to add substance to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, given that Merv is by far the best part of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their separation might seem more grounded and mature with more screen time and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting all its marks. Crafting a story with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – though I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
