It is a common warning in certain circles that jointly caring for a canine companion following a split is a terrible idea. Most will argue such situations prevent ex-partners from healing, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and prove frustrating across the board. Seemingly, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to feel down.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of animals – countless people attest to their profound sensitivity. For a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, one need only look another performance. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time coping with split households. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on this conflict holds water seems rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, written by the writing duo and directed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than its premise. This is a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity are modest. The plot unfolds as simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – played by familiar faces – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – think fake snow piled on verdant foliage as North Carolina stands in for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
How these standard ingredients merge into an entertaining watch depends on the execution and one's taste for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – the kind who browse regularly for dog videos. It provides a wealth of adorable dog montages. The central draw is Merv himself, and though it results in some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, pet moping, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise is not earned for the interpersonal drama. Its style wavers between serious study, broad humor, predictable love story, and silly gags, never fully committing to a single genre. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward demanded of the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a charming humility that supplies much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal seems a bit too dry, especially when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, the canine performer is convincing at looking despondent – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, considering Merv is easily the best part of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their original breakup could have been more adult and realistic with more screen time and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting every expected note. Creating a movie with this canine conflict has potential – but I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
