This is a widely held belief in certain circles that jointly caring for a dog post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such arrangements hinder former couples from moving forward, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. As it turns out, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the inner life of our pets – countless people speak of their remarkable empathy. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, consider another performance. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog played by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time coping with divided living arrangements. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on such a setup holds water remains a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, the work of the writing duo and directed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than what it is. We have here a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the depth is limited. The narrative proves to be straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – as seen in fake snow piled on lush pines as a warm climate stands in for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these familiar elements merge into an entertaining watch hinges on the actors' work and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who scroll endlessly for pet content. The film delivers a series of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the dog, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie does offer canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, finally, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The tone shifts uneasily between emotional depth, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, not quite landing a consistent feel. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe inherent in the unusual premise. He brings a endearing lack of ego that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal comes across as a little too aloof, particularly when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, the canine performer is convincing at acting depressed – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, considering Merv is by far the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their separation might seem more adult and realistic with more screen time and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting every expected note. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – though it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform this December.
