It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that jointly caring for a canine companion following a split is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such setups impede former couples from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Seemingly, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to feel down.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of dogs – pet parents speak of their profound sensitivity. If you need masterclass in canine melancholy, simply recall recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adapting to split households. Whether this premise a full holiday film around this situation works effectively seems debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of director Swale, never aspires to be more profound than a light film. This is a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the depth is limited. Its storyline proves to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Visually carries the feel of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – exemplified by obvious snow effects surrounding verdant foliage as North Carolina stands in for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
If these standard ingredients coalesce into something enjoyable rests upon the strength of the performances and one's taste for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who browse regularly for dog videos. The film delivers a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the canine star, and though it results in some stilted moments between animal action and people's faces, the movie delivers on canine party antics, dog depression, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The tone vacillates between emotional depth, zany antics, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, not quite landing a single genre. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny demanded of the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal comes across as a bit too dry, particularly when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Merv himself manages acting depressed – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to give weight to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, considering the title character is easily the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The reason for their original breakup would feel more nuanced with less exposition and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film about dog co-parenting has potential – but it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video this December.
