This is a widely held belief in certain circles that jointly caring for a dog after a breakup is a terrible idea. Most will argue such situations hinder former couples from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for all parties. Apparently, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to feel down.
Without minimizing the inner life of dogs – countless people speak of their profound sensitivity. To witness a masterclass in dog sorrow, one need only look a past film. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on this conflict works effectively is debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than its premise. We have here a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the complexity are modest. The narrative proves to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will surely realize the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – including familiar faces – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – think obvious snow effects piled on verdant foliage as a summer location substitutes for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these standard ingredients coalesce into a pleasant experience hinges on the execution and one's taste for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who scroll endlessly for pet content. The film delivers a series of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the dog, and even if it causes some stilted moments between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie does offer canine party antics, pet moping, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Human Element
The same praise is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach vacillates between serious study, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, failing to master a consistent feel. This is not Charlie Cox, who is fully game the absurd and awkward inherent in the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a charming humility that provides much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal seems a touch too detached, especially when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, the canine performer succeeds in looking despondent – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, considering Merv is undoubtedly the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their separation could have been more adult and realistic with more screen time and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling all its marks. Making a film on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – but I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
