It is a common warning in certain circles that jointly caring for a dog following a split is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such situations prevent individuals from finding closure, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and become annoying for everyone involved. Seemingly, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of dogs – countless people observe their profound sensitivity. For a masterclass in pet despair, consider recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult coping with divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a full holiday film on such a setup works effectively is debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and directed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than its premise. We have here a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth are modest. The plot proves to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will surely realize the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – played by familiar faces – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – as seen in obvious snow effects clinging to verdant foliage as North Carolina doubles as a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
How these familiar elements coalesce into a pleasant experience rests upon the strength of the performances and an acceptance of comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – those people who browse regularly for pet content. The film delivers a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the canine star, and even if it causes some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, pet moping, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise cannot be applied for the romantic plot. Its style wavers between emotional depth, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a single genre. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the humiliating and funny inherent in the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that offers much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. The character comes across as a touch too detached, especially when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Merv himself manages acting depressed – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to give weight to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, given that Merv is by far the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for the split could have been more nuanced with less exposition and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling all its marks. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting is not terrible – even if it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video this December.
