It is a common warning among many that jointly caring for a canine companion after a breakup is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such arrangements impede individuals from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance across the board. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to experience sadness.
While respecting the emotional well-being of animals – countless people observe their remarkable empathy. To witness a masterclass in dog sorrow, one need only look another performance. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog portrayed by Gus the Dog, would struggle coping with split households. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on this conflict works effectively seems rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by director Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than its premise. It functions as a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the complexity remains surface-level. Its storyline unfolds as simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will presumably realize the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – as seen in fake snow piled on green trees as North Carolina stands in for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these familiar elements come together into something enjoyable rests upon the execution and one's taste for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who browse regularly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the canine star, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on walking sequences, pet moping, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The tone vacillates between serious study, zany antics, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, not quite landing any one mode. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe inherent in the bizarre setting. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that provides much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna comes across as a bit too dry, notably when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog succeeds in flopping and whining – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a very good boy.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, since the title character is by far the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their original breakup could have been more adult and realistic with more screen time and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling all its marks. Crafting a story with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – even if I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video on December 10th.
