This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that jointly caring for a dog after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such arrangements hinder ex-partners from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for all parties. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the inner life of animals – pet parents attest to their deep emotional capacity. To witness a prime example in dog sorrow, one need only look recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adapting to life in two homes. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on such a setup is sustainable remains debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, written by its screenwriters and directed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than a light film. We have here a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the depth are modest. The plot is destined to be simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will surely rediscover the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – played by a group of comedic actors – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look is reminiscent of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – exemplified by flurries piled on verdant foliage as a summer location substitutes for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
How these familiar elements come together into an entertaining watch hinges on the execution and an acceptance of easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – the kind who seek out for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and even if it causes some awkward editing between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie delivers on walking sequences, dog depression, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Human Element
The same praise does not extend for the human side of the story. The tone shifts uneasily between emotional depth, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, never fully committing to any one mode. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is fully game the humiliating and funny required by the unusual premise. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. The character can feel a bit too dry, notably when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, the canine performer manages acting depressed – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, since Merv is easily the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their separation could have been more grounded and mature with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise has potential – even if it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
