It is a common warning in certain circles that jointly caring for a canine companion after a breakup is a terrible idea. Most will argue such situations impede former couples from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and become annoying for everyone involved. As it turns out, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of dogs – countless people attest to their profound sensitivity. For a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, consider a past film. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle coping with divided living arrangements. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance around this situation is sustainable is debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than its premise. This is a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth remains surface-level. Its storyline unfolds as uncomplicated: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will surely realize the idea that they are better together. Side characters – featuring familiar faces – serve as the usual assortment of types. Visually carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – exemplified by obvious snow effects piled on verdant foliage as a warm climate substitutes for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
How these predictable parts coalesce into an entertaining watch depends on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – the kind who browse regularly for pet content. It provides a plethora of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the dog, and while this leads to some stilted moments between animal action and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise cannot be applied for the romantic plot. Its style vacillates between serious study, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, not quite landing any one mode. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe required by the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal seems a touch too detached, especially when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog is convincing at flopping and whining – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a very good boy.)
Merv tries to give weight to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, since the dog is by far the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for the split could have been more nuanced with more screen time and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, hitting all its marks. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – even if it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video this December.
