It is a widely held belief among many that jointly caring for a canine companion post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such arrangements impede former couples from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and become annoying across the board. As it turns out, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to experience sadness.
While respecting the mental health of our pets – many owners speak of their profound sensitivity. To witness a prime example in pet despair, simply recall another performance. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to life in two homes. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on this conflict is sustainable remains rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by the writing duo and helmed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than a light film. It functions as a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the complexity remains surface-level. Its storyline is destined to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ, played by 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 undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – including familiar faces – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look has the quality of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – exemplified by flurries clinging to lush pines as a summer location stands in for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
How these familiar elements merge into an entertaining watch rests upon the strength of the performances and one's taste for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – individuals who seek out for pet content. Audiences receive a series of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is Merv himself, and while this leads to some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie does offer walking sequences, dog depression, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness is not earned for the romantic plot. The tone vacillates between emotional depth, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe inherent in the unusual premise. He brings a charming humility that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. The character comes across as a little too aloof, especially when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, the canine performer manages acting depressed – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to add substance to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, considering the title character is easily the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The reason for the split would feel more grounded and mature with less exposition and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – but it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video this December.
