This is a common warning in certain circles that co-parenting a pet after a breakup is ill-advised. Most will argue such situations prevent ex-partners from healing, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for all parties. Apparently, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to feel down.
While respecting the mental health of dogs – countless people observe their deep emotional capacity. If you need masterclass in pet despair, simply recall a past film. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time coping with split households. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on such a setup is sustainable seems a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by director Swale, never aspires to be deeper than a light film. It functions as a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the complexity are modest. The narrative unfolds as straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – exemplified by obvious snow effects piled on green trees as a warm climate stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these predictable parts come together into something enjoyable rests upon the strength of the performances and one's taste for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – the kind who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the canine star, and while this leads to some awkward editing between animal action and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, pet moping, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness is not earned for the human side of the story. The tone shifts uneasily between serious study, zany antics, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, failing to master a single genre. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward required by the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a charming humility that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna seems a touch too detached, particularly when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself manages looking despondent – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, since Merv is by far the best part of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The cause for their original breakup might seem more nuanced with less exposition and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling every expected note. Crafting a story with this canine conflict has potential – though I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
