This is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that jointly caring for a canine companion post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such arrangements hinder former couples from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for all parties. Apparently, in a revelation worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to feel down.
Not to downplay the mental health of animals – countless people observe their remarkable empathy. To witness a standout portrayal in pet despair, simply recall a past film. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time coping with divided living arrangements. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on this conflict is sustainable remains a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, written by the writing duo and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than its premise. This is a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the depth remains surface-level. Its storyline unfolds as straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look has the quality of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – exemplified by obvious snow effects clinging to lush pines as a warm climate substitutes for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
How these standard ingredients coalesce into something enjoyable depends on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – individuals who seek out for pet content. Audiences receive a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the canine star, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie does offer canine party antics, dog depression, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach wavers between emotional depth, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a single genre. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is fully game the absurd and awkward demanded of the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna seems a bit too dry, especially when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog succeeds in acting depressed – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a very good boy.)
The story strives to add substance to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, since the dog is undoubtedly the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their original breakup might seem more grounded and mature with less exposition and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – even if I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
