It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that jointly caring for a pet after a breakup is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such situations prevent ex-partners from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and prove frustrating across the board. Apparently, in a revelation worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of dogs – pet parents observe their remarkable empathy. For a masterclass in pet despair, one need only look a past film. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog played by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to life in two homes. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on such a setup is sustainable is rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, written by the writing duo and under the guidance of director Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than its premise. We have here a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions are modest. The narrative proves to be 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. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – think fake snow piled on lush pines as a warm climate doubles as the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these predictable parts coalesce into something enjoyable hinges on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – the kind who seek out for dog videos. It provides a series of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the dog, and though it results in some awkward editing between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The tone wavers between emotional depth, zany antics, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a single genre. This is not Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe demanded of the bizarre setting. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that supplies much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. The character seems a little too aloof, notably when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog succeeds in acting depressed – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a very good boy.)
Merv tries to give weight to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, given that Merv is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for the split could have been more adult and realistic with more screen time and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Making a film on this shared-custody premise has potential – but I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
