It is a widely held belief among many that jointly caring for a pet post-separation is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such arrangements impede former couples from moving forward, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and become annoying for everyone involved. As it turns out, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to experience sadness.
While respecting the mental health of animals – pet parents speak of their profound sensitivity. If you need standout portrayal in pet despair, one need only look a past film. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on this conflict is sustainable seems debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, written by its screenwriters and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than what it is. This is a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions is limited. The narrative proves to be uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – think obvious snow effects piled on green trees as a summer location substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
If these predictable parts come together into something enjoyable hinges on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – those people who browse regularly for pet content. It provides a series of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie does offer canine party antics, pet moping, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness is not earned for the human side of the story. The tone vacillates between serious study, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, never fully committing to any one mode. This is not Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe demanded of the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. The character seems a bit too dry, notably when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Merv himself manages acting depressed – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a very good boy.)
The film attempts to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, since the title character is by far the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for the split would feel more grounded and mature with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling every expected note. Creating a movie with this canine conflict has potential – even if it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
