It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that jointly caring for a canine companion post-separation is a terrible idea. Most will argue such situations impede former couples from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for all parties. As it turns out, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to become depressed.
While respecting the inner life of dogs – countless people observe their remarkable empathy. If you need masterclass in pet despair, one need only look another performance. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type played by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult coping with split households. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on this conflict works effectively remains rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and helmed by director Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than what it is. We have here a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions remains surface-level. Its storyline unfolds as simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – including familiar faces – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look has the quality of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – think obvious snow effects clinging to verdant foliage as North Carolina doubles as the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
If these familiar elements come together into an entertaining watch depends on the actors' work and one's taste for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who seek out for pet content. Audiences receive a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the canine star, and even if it causes some stilted moments between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, dog depression, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
The same praise cannot be applied for the romantic plot. Its style wavers between serious study, zany antics, predictable love story, and physical comedy, failing to master a consistent feel. This is not Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny inherent in the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that offers much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her Anna can feel a bit too dry, especially when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog manages acting depressed – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a very good boy.)
The film attempts to add substance to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, given that the title character is undoubtedly the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their original breakup would feel more nuanced with more screen time and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, meeting every expected note. Making a film with this canine conflict is not terrible – though it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Prime Video this December.
