It is a widely held belief in certain circles that jointly caring for a canine companion following a split is a terrible idea. Most will argue such setups impede ex-partners from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and become annoying for everyone involved. Apparently, in a revelation worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the mental health of animals – countless people observe their profound sensitivity. If you need prime example in dog sorrow, one need only look another performance. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult coping with life in two homes. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on such a setup holds water is a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, written by its screenwriters and helmed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than a light film. This is a holiday release from a corporate studio – the complexity are modest. Its storyline unfolds as uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – think obvious snow effects piled on lush pines as a summer location doubles as the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these standard ingredients merge into a pleasant experience depends on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who seek out for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is Merv himself, and while this leads to some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, pet moping, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise does not extend for the romantic plot. Its style wavers between serious study, broad humor, predictable love story, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a single genre. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe inherent in the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that offers much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal can feel a touch too detached, notably when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, the canine performer succeeds in flopping and whining – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains an excellent dog.)
The story strives to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, since the title character is by far the best part of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their separation would feel more grounded and mature with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, meeting every expected note. Creating a movie with this canine conflict is not terrible – even if I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video starting December 10.
