This is a common warning among many that jointly caring for a pet post-separation is ill-advised. Most will argue such situations hinder former couples from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for all parties. Apparently, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to feel down.
While respecting the inner life of animals – countless people attest to their remarkable empathy. To witness a masterclass in pet despair, consider another performance. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adapting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on such a setup holds water remains debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than a light film. It functions as a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the depth is limited. The plot unfolds as simple and direct: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will presumably realize the idea that they are better together. Side characters – played by a group of comedic actors – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look carries the feel of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – as seen in obvious snow effects surrounding lush pines as a warm climate substitutes for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
How these predictable parts come together into something enjoyable rests upon the actors' work and one's taste for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who browse regularly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the canine star, and while this leads to some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The tone shifts uneasily between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to any one mode. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe required by the dog resort scenario. He brings a endearing lack of ego that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna comes across as a bit too dry, notably when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, the canine performer is convincing at looking despondent – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a very good boy.)
Merv tries to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, given that Merv is easily the best part of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their separation could have been more nuanced with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling every expected note. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise has potential – even if it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video starting December 10.
