It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that jointly caring for a canine companion after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such arrangements hinder individuals from moving forward, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Seemingly, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
While respecting the emotional well-being of animals – many owners speak of their deep emotional capacity. To witness a prime example in canine melancholy, simply recall another performance. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adapting to split households. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on such a setup works effectively remains a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, written by its screenwriters and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than its premise. We have here a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity are modest. The narrative proves to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Side characters – played by familiar faces – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – exemplified by obvious snow effects piled on verdant foliage as a warm climate doubles as a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these familiar elements coalesce into something enjoyable hinges on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – those people who browse regularly for pet content. It provides a series of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the canine star, and while this leads to some awkward editing between animal action and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. Its style vacillates between emotional depth, zany antics, predictable love story, and physical comedy, not quite landing a consistent feel. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is fully game the absurd and awkward demanded of the dog resort scenario. He brings a likable self-deprecation that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her Anna seems a bit too dry, notably when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself succeeds in flopping and whining – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, given that Merv is by far the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for the split could have been more nuanced with more screen time and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting all its marks. Making a film about dog co-parenting is not terrible – though it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Prime Video starting December 10.
