It is a widely held belief for numerous people that jointly caring for a canine companion following a split is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such setups prevent ex-partners from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and become annoying for all parties. Seemingly, in a revelation worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the canine in question to become depressed.
While respecting the mental health of our pets – countless people speak of their deep emotional capacity. To witness a prime example in pet despair, simply recall a past film. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult coping with life in two homes. If this concept an entire Christmas romance around this situation holds water remains debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than a light film. It functions as a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the ambitions is limited. The plot unfolds as straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – played by familiar faces – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – as seen in obvious snow effects surrounding green trees as a warm climate stands in for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these standard ingredients coalesce into a pleasant experience depends on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who browse regularly for pet content. It provides a series of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the dog, and while this leads to some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on canine party antics, pet moping, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise is not earned for the romantic plot. Its style shifts uneasily between emotional depth, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and silly gags, never fully committing to a single genre. This is not Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny demanded of the bizarre setting. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that offers much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna can feel a little too aloof, particularly when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog succeeds in looking despondent – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to give weight to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, since the title character is undoubtedly the best part of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The reason for their original breakup could have been more adult and realistic with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling all its marks. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting has potential – even if I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
