It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that jointly caring for a pet after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such situations impede former couples from healing, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for all parties. Seemingly, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the canine in question to become depressed.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of dogs – many owners speak of their profound sensitivity. If you need prime example in dog sorrow, one need only look recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog played by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to life in two homes. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on such a setup works effectively remains debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, written by the writing duo and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than a light film. This is a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity remains surface-level. Its storyline proves to be simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they are better together. Side characters – featuring familiar faces – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – exemplified by fake snow clinging to lush pines as a summer location doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
How these familiar elements come together into something enjoyable rests upon the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – the kind who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a series of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the canine star, and though it results in some stilted moments between animal action and human reaction, the movie does offer walking sequences, pet moping, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness is not earned for the human side of the story. The film's approach shifts uneasily between emotional depth, zany antics, formulaic romance, and silly gags, never fully committing to a single genre. This is not Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe required by the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that supplies much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal seems a little too aloof, especially when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Gus the Dog succeeds in flopping and whining – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The story strives to add substance to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, considering the dog is undoubtedly the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their separation could have been more nuanced with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling all its marks. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise has potential – though I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
