This is a common warning in certain circles that jointly caring for a pet post-separation is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such arrangements prevent ex-partners from finding closure, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for all parties. Seemingly, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
While respecting the emotional well-being of dogs – pet parents attest to their deep emotional capacity. To witness a masterclass in canine melancholy, consider recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by Gus the Dog, would struggle adapting to split households. If this concept a full holiday film around this situation is sustainable remains rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than a light film. We have here a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the depth remains surface-level. The plot is destined to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will surely realize the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – exemplified by flurries piled on green trees as a warm climate doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
How these standard ingredients come together into an entertaining watch hinges on the strength of the performances and one's taste for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who seek out for cute animal clips. The film delivers a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the canine star, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie does offer walking sequences, pet moping, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The tone vacillates between relationship drama, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, not quite landing a single genre. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward required by the unusual premise. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that offers much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. The character can feel a bit too dry, notably when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog succeeds in acting depressed – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to provide depth to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, since the dog is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their separation could have been more adult and realistic with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – but it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video on December 10th.
