It is a common warning for numerous people that jointly caring for a pet following a split is a terrible idea. Most will argue such situations prevent individuals from healing, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and become annoying for all parties. As it turns out, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of dogs – pet parents speak of their remarkable empathy. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, one need only look a past film. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adapting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on such a setup is sustainable remains rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by director Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than its premise. We have here a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity remains surface-level. The narrative is destined to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – including familiar faces – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – as seen in flurries clinging to lush pines as North Carolina substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
If these familiar elements merge into an entertaining watch depends on the actors' work and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who scroll endlessly for pet content. The film delivers a series of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and while this leads to some stilted moments between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, dog depression, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness does not extend for the romantic plot. Its style vacillates between relationship drama, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a single genre. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the absurd and awkward demanded of the unusual premise. He brings a likable self-deprecation that supplies much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal seems a touch too detached, particularly when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Merv himself manages looking despondent – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a very good boy.)
The story strives to give weight to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, considering Merv is by far the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their original breakup might seem more nuanced with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – but it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
