This is a widely held belief for numerous people that jointly caring for a dog following a split is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such setups prevent individuals from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. As it turns out, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the inner life of animals – pet parents speak of their remarkable empathy. To witness a prime example in canine melancholy, consider another performance. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by Gus the Dog, would struggle adjusting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance around this situation is sustainable seems debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by its screenwriters and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than what it is. We have here a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the complexity remains surface-level. Its storyline is destined to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – as seen in flurries surrounding green trees as a summer location doubles as a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these standard ingredients come together into an entertaining watch hinges on the strength of the performances and one's taste for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. It provides a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the canine star, and while this leads to some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, dog depression, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The tone wavers between emotional depth, broad humor, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to any one mode. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is fully game the absurd and awkward demanded of the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her Anna comes across as a bit too dry, particularly when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Merv himself is convincing at flopping and whining – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, considering Merv is undoubtedly the best part of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for the split could have been more adult and realistic with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling every expected note. Crafting a story with this canine conflict is not terrible – but I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video this December.
