This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that jointly caring for a pet after a breakup is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such setups impede former couples from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and become annoying across the board. As it turns out, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to feel down.
While respecting the inner life of dogs – many owners observe their deep emotional capacity. If you need masterclass in pet despair, consider a past film. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adapting to life in two homes. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on this conflict is sustainable seems a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, the work of the writing duo and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than a light film. We have here a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity is limited. The narrative is destined to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – played by familiar faces – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic has the quality of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – as seen in flurries surrounding verdant foliage as a summer location substitutes for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
If these familiar elements merge into something enjoyable depends on the actors' work and one's taste for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who seek out for dog videos. It provides a series of adorable dog montages. The central draw is Merv himself, and even if it causes some stilted moments between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, dog depression, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
This level of success does not extend for the human side of the story. Its style wavers between serious study, broad humor, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a consistent feel. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the absurd and awkward inherent in the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal can feel a bit too dry, especially when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, the canine performer succeeds in acting depressed – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a very good boy.)
The story strives to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, given that the title character is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their original breakup would feel more nuanced with less exposition and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting every expected note. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting has potential – even if I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Prime Video starting December 10.
