It is a widely held belief in certain circles that co-parenting a pet following a split is ill-advised. Most will argue such setups hinder ex-partners from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and become annoying across the board. Seemingly, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to feel down.
Not to downplay the inner life of our pets – countless people speak of their deep emotional capacity. To witness a standout portrayal in pet despair, one need only look a past film. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adapting to divided living arrangements. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on this conflict is sustainable is rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of the writing duo and directed by director Swale, never aspires to be more profound than a light film. This is a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions is limited. The narrative is destined to be simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – played by familiar faces – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – exemplified by fake snow surrounding verdant foliage as a warm climate stands in for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
If these standard ingredients coalesce into something enjoyable hinges on the execution and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who scroll endlessly for pet content. It provides a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is Merv himself, and even if it causes some stilted moments between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, pet moping, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach vacillates between emotional depth, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a consistent feel. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe required by the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal seems a bit too dry, especially when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, the canine performer is convincing at flopping and whining – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a very good boy.)
Merv tries to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, since Merv is by far the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their original breakup would feel more adult and realistic with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, meeting every expected note. Crafting a story with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – though it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Prime Video on December 10th.
