It is a widely held belief among many that co-parenting a dog post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such setups hinder individuals from finding closure, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Seemingly, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to experience sadness.
While respecting the mental health of animals – pet parents attest to their profound sensitivity. For a prime example in pet despair, one need only look a past film. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adjusting to split households. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on such a setup holds water is a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, written by the writing duo and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than what it is. We have here a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth remains surface-level. The plot proves to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will presumably realize the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – including familiar faces – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. The film's look is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by obvious snow effects piled on verdant foliage as North Carolina substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
If these familiar elements coalesce into something enjoyable hinges on the execution and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who scroll endlessly for pet content. Audiences receive a series of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the canine star, and though it results in some stilted moments between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success does not extend for the romantic plot. The film's approach wavers between serious study, broad humor, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny inherent in the unusual premise. He brings a charming humility that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna can feel a little too aloof, notably when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Merv himself succeeds in flopping and whining – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to provide depth to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, given that the title character is easily the best part of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The reason for the split could have been more adult and realistic with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film with this canine conflict has potential – though it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
