It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that jointly caring for a canine companion following a split is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such arrangements prevent ex-partners from finding closure, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and are a nuisance across the board. As it turns out, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of dogs – pet parents observe their profound sensitivity. For a masterclass in pet despair, one need only look a past film. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix played by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult coping with life in two homes. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on such a setup holds water remains rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of the writing duo and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than its premise. It functions as a holiday release from a corporate studio – the ambitions are modest. The plot proves to be straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – including familiar faces – serve as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – as seen in flurries clinging to lush pines as a warm climate doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
If these familiar elements come together into an entertaining watch depends on the strength of the performances and one's taste for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who scroll endlessly for pet content. The film delivers a series of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is Merv himself, and while this leads to some awkward editing between animal action and human reaction, the movie delivers on walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness does not extend for the romantic plot. Its style wavers between relationship drama, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, not quite landing any one mode. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the absurd and awkward inherent in the bizarre setting. His performance contains a charming humility that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna can feel a bit too dry, notably when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog succeeds in looking despondent – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, since the title character is by far the cutest element of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for the split could have been more adult and realistic with more screen time and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting every expected note. Creating a movie with this canine conflict is not terrible – but it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
