This is a widely held belief among many that jointly caring for a dog following a split is a terrible idea. Most will argue such setups impede individuals from finding closure, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. As it turns out, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Not to downplay the inner life of our pets – many owners speak of their profound sensitivity. If you need standout portrayal in pet despair, one need only look another performance. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adjusting to life in two homes. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on such a setup works effectively seems debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, the work of the writing duo and helmed by director Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than a light film. It functions as a holiday release from a corporate studio – the depth remains surface-level. The plot is destined to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – exemplified by fake snow clinging to lush pines as North Carolina substitutes for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these standard ingredients coalesce into an entertaining watch depends on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the dog, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
The same praise is not earned for the romantic plot. The tone shifts uneasily between relationship drama, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, not quite landing a single genre. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the absurd and awkward demanded of the dog resort scenario. He brings a likable self-deprecation that supplies 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 either resonate with viewers. Her Anna can feel a little too aloof, particularly when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog manages flopping and whining – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a very good boy.)
The film attempts to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, since the title character is easily the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their original breakup would feel more grounded and mature with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, meeting all its marks. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise has potential – though it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video this December.
