It is a widely held belief among many that jointly caring for a dog post-separation is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such situations hinder former couples from healing, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating across the board. Apparently, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to become depressed.
Without minimizing the mental health of animals – many owners attest to their profound sensitivity. If you need prime example in dog sorrow, one need only look a past film. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix played by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to divided living arrangements. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on this conflict holds water remains rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than a light film. We have here a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the depth are modest. Its storyline is destined to be uncomplicated: exes 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, take a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – as seen in flurries surrounding green trees as a warm climate stands in for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
How these familiar elements coalesce into an entertaining watch depends on the execution and one's taste for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who seek out for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a series of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the canine star, and even if it causes some stilted moments between animal action and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, pet moping, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The film's approach wavers between emotional depth, broad humor, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to any one mode. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is fully game the humiliating and funny required by the bizarre setting. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. The character seems a touch too detached, particularly when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, the canine performer succeeds in looking despondent – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a very good boy.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, considering the title character is easily the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The reason for their original breakup would feel more grounded and mature with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story with this canine conflict is not terrible – but it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform this December.
