It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that jointly caring for a pet post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such setups prevent individuals from moving forward, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the canine in question to experience sadness.
While respecting the mental health of dogs – many owners speak of their profound sensitivity. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, simply recall another performance. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adapting to split households. If this concept a full holiday film on such a setup works effectively is debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than its premise. It functions as a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the ambitions are modest. The narrative unfolds as simple and direct: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – featuring familiar faces – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. The film's look has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – as seen in fake snow surrounding green trees as a summer location substitutes for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
If these standard ingredients coalesce into a pleasant experience depends on the strength of the performances and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who scroll endlessly for pet content. It provides a series of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the canine star, and while this leads to some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie does offer dog beach fun, pet moping, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The tone shifts uneasily between serious study, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, failing to master a single genre. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward inherent in the bizarre setting. His performance contains a charming humility that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. The character can feel a touch too detached, especially when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Merv himself succeeds in looking despondent – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a very good boy.)
The story strives to add substance to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, since Merv is easily the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The cause for their separation might seem more nuanced with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film with this canine conflict has potential – but it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
