It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that jointly caring for a dog following a split is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such situations impede individuals from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Apparently, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the mental health of our pets – many owners attest to their profound sensitivity. For a masterclass in pet despair, consider another performance. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix played by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time coping with split households. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance around this situation works effectively is a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than a light film. We have here a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the complexity remains surface-level. Its storyline proves to be straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will surely rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – featuring a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. The film's look has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – think obvious snow effects clinging to lush pines as North Carolina substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
If these familiar elements come together into something enjoyable rests upon the strength of the performances and one's taste for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who scroll endlessly for pet content. It provides a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the dog, and though it results in some stilted moments between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie does offer walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
This level of success cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The tone shifts uneasily between emotional depth, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and silly gags, never fully committing to a consistent feel. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward inherent in the unusual premise. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that supplies much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. The character seems a touch too detached, notably when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Merv himself manages flopping and whining – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a very good boy.)
The story strives to add substance to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, considering the title character is easily the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The reason for the split could have been more grounded and mature with more screen time and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting every expected note. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – though I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Prime Video this December.
