It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that jointly caring for a pet post-separation is a terrible idea. Most will argue such situations prevent ex-partners from moving forward, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and become annoying for everyone involved. Seemingly, 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 inner life of animals – countless people attest to their profound sensitivity. To witness a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, simply recall recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adapting to split households. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on this conflict works effectively is rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of director Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than what it is. This is a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the complexity are modest. The narrative unfolds as simple and direct: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – featuring familiar faces – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look has the quality of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – as seen in fake snow clinging to green trees as North Carolina stands in for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
If these standard ingredients coalesce into an entertaining watch hinges on the execution and one's taste for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who seek out for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the dog, and though it results in some stilted moments between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The film's approach shifts uneasily between emotional depth, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, failing to master a consistent feel. This is not Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny required by the unusual premise. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna comes across as a little too aloof, particularly when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Merv himself succeeds in looking despondent – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, considering the dog is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their original breakup could have been more adult and realistic with less exposition and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting all its marks. Making a film on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – but it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video starting December 10.
