It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that jointly caring for a canine companion after a breakup is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such arrangements prevent individuals from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and are a nuisance across the board. As it turns out, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the inner life of dogs – countless people speak of their profound sensitivity. To witness a masterclass in dog sorrow, simply recall recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adapting to life in two homes. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on this conflict works effectively is debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. We have here a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the depth is limited. Its storyline proves to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will presumably realize the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – featuring a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – as seen in obvious snow effects surrounding verdant foliage as a summer location stands in for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these predictable parts coalesce into something enjoyable rests upon the actors' work and an acceptance of comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who seek out for dog videos. Audiences receive a series of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the canine star, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, dog depression, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness is not earned for the romantic plot. Its style shifts uneasily between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, not quite landing a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny required by the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that provides a significant portion of the appeal 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 can feel a little too aloof, especially when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, the canine performer succeeds in flopping and whining – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a very good boy.)
Merv tries to add substance to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, given that the dog is by far the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their original breakup could have been more adult and realistic with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling every expected note. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting has potential – even if it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
