It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that jointly caring for a canine companion after a breakup is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such setups impede former couples from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. As it turns out, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to feel down.
Not to downplay the inner life of animals – many owners speak of their deep emotional capacity. For a masterclass in pet despair, one need only look another performance. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adapting to split households. If this concept an entire Christmas romance around this situation holds water remains debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than what it is. This is a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth are modest. Its storyline unfolds as straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – featuring a group of comedic actors – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually has the quality of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – think obvious snow effects clinging to verdant foliage as a warm climate doubles as a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these familiar elements merge into an entertaining watch rests upon the strength of the performances and an acceptance of easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – the kind who scroll endlessly for pet content. The film delivers a plethora of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the dog, and while this leads to some stilted moments between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie does offer walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The tone vacillates between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, not quite landing a single genre. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is fully game the silliness and cringe inherent in the unusual premise. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. The character comes across as a touch too detached, especially when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Gus the Dog is convincing at flopping and whining – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, given that Merv is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their original breakup would feel more grounded and mature with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting all its marks. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise has potential – though it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
