It is a widely held belief in certain circles that jointly caring for a dog post-separation is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such setups hinder individuals from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Apparently, as a development suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to feel down.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of dogs – countless people speak of their profound sensitivity. If you need masterclass in canine melancholy, one need only look recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog played by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adjusting to split households. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on such a setup holds water seems debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, written by its screenwriters and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than what it is. This is a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the depth is limited. The narrative is destined to be straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will presumably realize the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – played by a group of comedic actors – serve as the usual assortment of types. The film's look has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – as seen in obvious snow effects piled on verdant foliage as a warm climate stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
If these predictable parts coalesce into an entertaining watch hinges on the strength of the performances and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – individuals who seek out for pet content. The film delivers a series of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the canine star, and while this leads to some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, dog depression, and, in the end, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise is not earned for the romantic plot. Its style wavers between serious study, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny demanded of the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a charming humility that offers much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna comes across as a touch too detached, especially when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog succeeds in flopping and whining – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to provide depth to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, since the title character is by far the best part of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their separation could have been more adult and realistic with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting is not terrible – even if it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform this December.
