It is a widely held belief among many that co-parenting a pet after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such arrangements hinder ex-partners from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and become annoying across the board. Seemingly, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the canine in question to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the mental health of dogs – countless people attest to their remarkable empathy. If you need prime example in canine melancholy, simply recall another performance. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time coping with divided living arrangements. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on such a setup works effectively is rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than a light film. It functions as a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the depth are modest. The plot is destined to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – exemplified by fake snow piled on green trees as a warm climate substitutes for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
If these standard ingredients coalesce into an entertaining watch rests upon the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a wealth of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the canine star, and while this leads to some stilted moments between animal action and people's faces, the movie does offer dog beach fun, pet moping, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
This level of success cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach vacillates between emotional depth, broad humor, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, not quite landing any one mode. This is not Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny demanded of the unusual premise. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that supplies much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her Anna can feel a touch too detached, especially when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Merv himself manages flopping and whining – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to give weight to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, considering the title character is easily the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their separation could have been more nuanced with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film with this canine conflict has potential – even if I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video on December 10th.
