It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that jointly caring for a dog post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such setups impede ex-partners from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and become annoying across the board. Seemingly, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to feel down.
Without minimizing the mental health of animals – pet parents speak of their profound sensitivity. To witness a masterclass in canine melancholy, consider another performance. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to split households. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on such a setup is sustainable seems a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than a light film. It functions as a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the depth remains surface-level. The narrative is destined to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – featuring a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by obvious snow effects clinging to verdant foliage as North Carolina stands in for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these predictable parts coalesce into something enjoyable hinges on the execution and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a series of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is Merv himself, and while this leads to some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach shifts uneasily between emotional depth, broad humor, predictable love story, and silly gags, never fully committing to any one mode. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny inherent in the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna can feel a little too aloof, especially when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog manages flopping and whining – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to give weight to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, since the dog is by far the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for the split could have been more grounded and mature with more screen time and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling all its marks. Crafting a story with this canine conflict is not terrible – though it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
