It is a widely held belief for numerous people that jointly caring for a canine companion post-separation is ill-advised. Most will argue such situations impede individuals from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating across the board. Apparently, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the inner life of dogs – many owners attest to their remarkable empathy. If you need masterclass in canine melancholy, one need only look another performance. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adapting to life in two homes. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on this conflict holds water remains rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of the writing duo and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than its premise. We have here a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth remains surface-level. The narrative is destined to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look has the quality of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – think obvious snow effects surrounding lush pines as North Carolina doubles as the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
If these familiar elements coalesce into an entertaining watch depends on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who scroll endlessly for dog videos. The film delivers a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is Merv himself, and though it results in some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie does offer dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness is not earned for the interpersonal drama. Its style wavers between emotional depth, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, not quite landing any one mode. This is not Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe demanded of the unusual premise. He brings a charming humility that offers much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal seems a touch too detached, particularly when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Merv himself succeeds in looking despondent – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to add substance to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, given that Merv is easily the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their separation could have been more nuanced with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting every expected note. Creating a movie with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – though it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform this December.
