It is a common warning for numerous people that jointly caring for a dog post-separation is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such arrangements hinder former couples from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and become annoying for all parties. Seemingly, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
While respecting the inner life of our pets – countless people attest to their remarkable empathy. If you need prime example in dog sorrow, simply recall another performance. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adapting to life in two homes. Whether this premise a full holiday film around this situation works effectively is debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than what it is. We have here a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the ambitions remains surface-level. The narrative unfolds as simple and direct: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will surely realize the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. The film's look carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – think flurries surrounding verdant foliage as North Carolina substitutes for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
If these predictable parts coalesce into something enjoyable rests upon the execution and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – the kind who scroll endlessly for pet content. Audiences receive a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the canine star, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between animal action and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, pet moping, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The tone vacillates between emotional depth, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a consistent feel. This is not Charlie Cox, who is fully game the humiliating and funny inherent in the bizarre setting. He brings a endearing lack of ego that offers much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. The character comes across as a little too aloof, especially when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, the canine performer is convincing at looking despondent – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely 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, given that the dog is by far the best part of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their original breakup could have been more adult and realistic with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting every expected note. Creating a movie with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – though it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video on December 10th.
