It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that jointly caring for a pet after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such setups impede former couples from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and become annoying for all parties. Apparently, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to become depressed.
Not to downplay the mental health of our pets – countless people observe their deep emotional capacity. For a prime example in pet despair, one need only look recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adapting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on such a setup holds water seems a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than its premise. We have here a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the ambitions is limited. The plot proves to be simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – featuring familiar faces – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually has the quality of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – think flurries clinging to verdant foliage as North Carolina stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
How these standard ingredients come together into an entertaining watch hinges on the execution and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who seek out for pet content. Audiences receive a wealth of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the dog, and even if it causes some awkward editing between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
This level of success does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The tone shifts uneasily between serious study, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, not quite landing any one mode. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny demanded of the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a charming humility that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. The character can feel a touch too detached, notably when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Merv himself is convincing at flopping and whining – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a very good boy.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, considering the title character is by far the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The cause for their original breakup could have been more grounded and mature with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, hitting all its marks. Making a film with this canine conflict is not terrible – but it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Prime Video on December 10th.
