This is a common warning for numerous people that jointly caring for a pet post-separation is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such setups prevent ex-partners from moving forward, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. As it turns out, as a development suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to become depressed.
Without minimizing the inner life of animals – countless people observe their deep emotional capacity. If you need masterclass in canine melancholy, simply recall another performance. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adapting to split households. If this concept a full holiday film around this situation works effectively seems debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than a light film. We have here a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions remains surface-level. The narrative unfolds as uncomplicated: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Side characters – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. The film's look is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – as seen in fake snow surrounding green trees as North Carolina substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these predictable parts coalesce into an entertaining watch hinges on the actors' work and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – those people who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and though it results in some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness is not earned for the human side of the story. Its style vacillates between emotional depth, zany antics, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, failing to master a single genre. This is not Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward inherent in the dog resort scenario. He brings a charming humility that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. The character comes across as a bit too dry, especially when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Merv himself is convincing at looking despondent – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The film attempts to add substance to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, given that the title character is by far the best part of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their separation might seem more adult and realistic with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling all its marks. Making a film with this canine conflict is not terrible – but it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
