It is a common warning in certain circles that jointly caring for a pet post-separation is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such setups prevent ex-partners from healing, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. As it turns out, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the canine in question to feel down.
Without minimizing the mental health of animals – countless people speak of their remarkable empathy. If you need standout portrayal in dog sorrow, simply recall a past film. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adapting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on this conflict works effectively is rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than a light film. This is a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the complexity are modest. The plot is destined to be uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic has the quality of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – exemplified by obvious snow effects piled on verdant foliage as a warm climate substitutes for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
How these familiar elements coalesce into a pleasant experience depends on the strength of the performances and one's taste for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who browse regularly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the canine star, and even if it causes some stilted moments between animal action and human reaction, the movie delivers on walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
This level of success is not earned for the romantic plot. The tone vacillates between emotional depth, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, failing to master any one mode. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is fully game the silliness and cringe required by the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal seems a bit too dry, especially when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself is convincing at acting depressed – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The story strives to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, since Merv is by far the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their separation would feel more nuanced with less exposition and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, hitting every expected note. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – but I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
