It is a widely held belief among many that jointly caring for a pet post-separation is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such situations impede individuals from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for all parties. Apparently, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to experience sadness.
While respecting the inner life of dogs – countless people attest to their remarkable empathy. For a prime example in pet despair, simply recall recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to life in two homes. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on this conflict works effectively seems debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and directed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than its premise. We have here a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the ambitions are modest. The narrative proves to be simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Visually carries the feel of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – think obvious snow effects piled on verdant foliage as North Carolina doubles as a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
How these familiar elements coalesce into an entertaining watch depends on the actors' work and an acceptance of comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who seek out for pet content. Audiences receive a plethora of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the dog, and though it results in some clunky cuts between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie delivers on canine party antics, dog depression, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise cannot be applied for the human side of the story. Its style shifts uneasily between emotional depth, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and silly gags, not quite landing a single genre. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward demanded of the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna can feel a bit too dry, particularly when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Merv himself is convincing at looking despondent – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to give weight to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, since the dog is easily the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for the split would feel more nuanced with more screen time and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – though it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
