It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that jointly caring for a pet following a split is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such arrangements prevent former couples from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for all parties. Apparently, as a development worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to feel down.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of animals – many owners speak of their remarkable empathy. To witness a prime example in pet despair, consider a past film. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adapting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance around this situation works effectively seems debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, written by the writing duo and helmed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than its premise. We have here a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions is limited. The narrative proves to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – including familiar faces – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Visually has the quality of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – exemplified by flurries clinging to verdant foliage as a warm climate substitutes for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
How these standard ingredients coalesce into something enjoyable rests upon the actors' work and one's taste for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – those people who browse regularly for pet content. Audiences receive a series of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the canine star, and though it results in some stilted moments between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie does offer canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
The same praise is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach vacillates between emotional depth, zany antics, formulaic romance, and silly gags, never fully committing to a consistent feel. This is not Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe required by the bizarre setting. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that provides much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. The character comes across as a little too aloof, particularly when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Merv himself manages flopping and whining – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a very good boy.)
Merv tries to give weight to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, since the dog is by far the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for the split might seem more adult and realistic with less exposition and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, hitting every expected note. Creating a movie with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – though I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
