It is a common warning in certain circles that jointly caring for a pet following a split is a terrible idea. Most will argue such arrangements prevent former couples from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Seemingly, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the mental health of animals – countless people attest to their deep emotional capacity. For a prime example in dog sorrow, consider a past film. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adapting to life in two homes. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance around this situation holds water is rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, the work of the writing duo and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than what it is. We have here a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the complexity is limited. The narrative unfolds as simple and direct: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will presumably realize the idea that they are better together. Side characters – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – think flurries piled on lush pines as North Carolina stands in for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
How these standard ingredients come together into something enjoyable hinges on the strength of the performances and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – individuals who scroll endlessly for dog videos. The film delivers a wealth of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the canine star, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between animal action and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, pet moping, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise is not earned for the romantic plot. The tone shifts uneasily between emotional depth, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, failing to master a single genre. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe inherent in the dog resort scenario. He brings a likable self-deprecation that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal can feel a bit too dry, notably when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Gus the Dog succeeds in looking despondent – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, given that Merv is by far the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their separation could have been more adult and realistic with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story with this canine conflict has potential – even if it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform this December.
