It is a widely held belief among many that jointly caring for a pet after a breakup is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such arrangements impede former couples from healing, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. As it turns out, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to feel down.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of our pets – pet parents attest to their profound sensitivity. If you need masterclass in dog sorrow, one need only look another performance. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adapting to life in two homes. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance around this situation works effectively is a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of the writing duo and helmed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. We have here a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the complexity are modest. The narrative proves to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – played by a group of comedic actors – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – as seen in obvious snow effects piled on verdant foliage as North Carolina doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these standard ingredients merge into a pleasant experience rests upon the execution and an acceptance of comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who browse regularly for dog videos. The film delivers a plethora of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, in the end, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness does not extend for the human side of the story. The tone wavers between serious study, broad humor, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a single genre. This is not Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward required by the bizarre setting. He brings a endearing lack of ego that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal comes across as a little too aloof, particularly when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog is convincing at looking despondent – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The story strives to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, given that the dog is easily the cutest element of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their original breakup could have been more grounded and mature with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – though it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
