This is a widely held belief among many that jointly caring for a dog post-separation is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such situations hinder individuals from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. As it turns out, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the inner life of animals – pet parents attest to their remarkable empathy. To witness a prime example in dog sorrow, one need only look a past film. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog portrayed by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adapting to split households. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on this conflict works effectively remains a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than its premise. We have here a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the depth is limited. Its storyline proves to be simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – featuring a group of comedic actors – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – exemplified by obvious snow effects piled on lush pines as a warm climate doubles as a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
If these familiar elements coalesce into an entertaining watch hinges on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who seek out for pet content. It provides a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and even if it causes some stilted moments between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise is not earned for the romantic plot. The film's approach vacillates between emotional depth, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, not quite landing a consistent feel. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the absurd and awkward inherent in the unusual premise. He brings a charming humility that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her Anna seems a touch too detached, particularly when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Gus the Dog succeeds in flopping and whining – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a very good boy.)
Merv tries to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, since Merv is by far the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The reason for their separation could have been more nuanced with less exposition and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – but it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
