It is a widely held belief among many that jointly caring for a canine companion post-separation is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such situations impede ex-partners from finding closure, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and are a nuisance across the board. Seemingly, as a development suited to a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to become depressed.
While respecting the emotional well-being of our pets – many owners attest to their profound sensitivity. To witness a standout portrayal in pet despair, one need only look a past film. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adapting to divided living arrangements. If this concept an entire Christmas romance around this situation holds water remains a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and helmed by director Swale, never aspires to be anything more than a light film. This is a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions are modest. The plot proves to be straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – played by familiar faces – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. The film's look carries the feel of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by flurries piled on verdant foliage as North Carolina stands in for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
How these standard ingredients merge into an entertaining watch hinges on the execution and an acceptance of easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a wealth of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the canine star, and even if it causes some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, dog depression, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success does not extend for the romantic plot. The tone vacillates between relationship drama, zany antics, predictable love story, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a single genre. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe demanded of the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. The character seems a bit too dry, notably when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Merv himself succeeds in looking despondent – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, since the title character is by far the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for the split might seem more adult and realistic with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting every expected note. Making a film about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – even if I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video starting December 10.
