This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that jointly caring for a canine companion post-separation is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such arrangements impede ex-partners from healing, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and become annoying across the board. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to experience sadness.
While respecting the emotional well-being of our pets – many owners attest to their remarkable empathy. If you need masterclass in pet despair, consider a past film. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult coping with split households. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on such a setup works effectively seems rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, written by the writing duo and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. We have here a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions are modest. The plot is destined to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will surely realize the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look has the quality of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – think obvious snow effects clinging to green trees as a summer location doubles as a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
If these predictable parts merge into a pleasant experience hinges on the execution and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who browse regularly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the dog, and even if it causes some stilted moments between animal action and human reaction, the movie does offer walking sequences, dog depression, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
The same praise does not extend for the human side of the story. The film's approach vacillates between relationship drama, zany antics, predictable love story, and physical comedy, not quite landing a single genre. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe demanded of the bizarre setting. He brings a charming humility that offers much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna can feel a touch too detached, especially when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Merv himself manages flopping and whining – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still an excellent dog.)
The story strives to give weight to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, considering Merv is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The cause for their original breakup could have been more adult and realistic with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Making a film about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – even if it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
