It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that jointly caring for a canine companion following a split is a terrible idea. Most will argue such setups hinder ex-partners from healing, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance across the board. Seemingly, in a revelation worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to feel down.
Without minimizing the inner life of dogs – many owners speak of their remarkable empathy. To witness a masterclass in dog sorrow, consider another performance. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog played by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult coping with split households. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on such a setup is sustainable is rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than what it is. We have here a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity is limited. The plot proves to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – think fake snow piled on green trees as a warm climate stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
How these familiar elements come together into an entertaining watch rests upon 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 seek out for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the canine star, and even if it causes some awkward editing between animal action and human reaction, the movie delivers on canine party antics, dog depression, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The tone vacillates between serious study, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, not quite landing a consistent feel. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny required by the bizarre setting. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that offers much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna comes across as a touch too detached, particularly when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Merv himself is convincing at acting depressed – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a very good boy.)
Merv tries to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, since the title character is easily the best part of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The cause for their separation would feel more grounded and mature with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling all its marks. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – even if it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Prime Video on December 10th.
