This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that jointly caring for a pet after a breakup is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such situations hinder former couples from healing, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and are a nuisance across the board. Apparently, as a development worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the canine in question to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the mental health of animals – countless people observe their profound sensitivity. For a masterclass in pet despair, one need only look a past film. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to split households. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance around this situation holds water is rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, written by the writing duo and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than its premise. We have here a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the complexity remains surface-level. The plot unfolds as uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually has the quality of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – think obvious snow effects clinging to lush pines as North Carolina stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these familiar elements merge into a pleasant experience hinges on the strength of the performances and one's taste for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who browse regularly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the canine star, and while this leads to some stilted moments between animal action and human reaction, the movie does offer walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach wavers between relationship drama, wacky comedy, 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 humiliating and funny required by the bizarre setting. His performance contains a charming humility that supplies much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. The character comes across as a touch too detached, particularly when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog is convincing at flopping and whining – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, given that the dog is undoubtedly the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their separation could have been more grounded and mature with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting every expected note. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting has potential – though it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
