This is a common warning in certain circles that jointly caring for a pet after a breakup is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such setups impede individuals from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Apparently, as a development worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to experience sadness.
While respecting the emotional well-being of animals – pet parents observe their profound sensitivity. For a masterclass in dog sorrow, consider another performance. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult coping with divided living arrangements. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance around this situation holds water remains rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and directed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than what it is. This is a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the depth remains surface-level. The narrative proves to be straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will surely realize the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – including a group of comedic actors – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – as seen in fake snow clinging to lush pines as a summer location doubles as the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
How these standard ingredients come together into an entertaining watch rests upon the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – individuals who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a series of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the canine star, and while this leads to some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie does offer canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
This level of success does not extend for the romantic plot. The tone shifts uneasily between emotional depth, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, failing to master any one mode. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the absurd and awkward required by the unusual premise. He brings a charming humility that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. The character can feel a little too aloof, particularly when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Merv himself manages looking despondent – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to add substance to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, considering the dog is by far the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their separation could have been more nuanced with more screen time and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Making a film with this canine conflict is not terrible – even if I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
