It is a widely held belief for numerous people that jointly caring for a pet post-separation is a terrible idea. Most will argue such situations hinder individuals from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and become annoying across the board. Apparently, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of our pets – countless people speak of their profound sensitivity. For a prime example in dog sorrow, consider a past film. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would struggle coping with split households. Whether this premise a full holiday film on such a setup works effectively seems debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, written by its screenwriters and under the guidance of director Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than its premise. This is a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the ambitions are modest. The plot proves to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – including familiar faces – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually has the quality of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – exemplified by fake snow clinging to green trees as North Carolina stands in for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
How these predictable parts merge into a pleasant experience rests upon the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – those people who scroll endlessly for pet content. It provides a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between animal action and human reaction, the movie delivers on walking sequences, dog depression, and, in the end, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The tone vacillates between serious study, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and silly gags, not quite landing a consistent feel. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny required by the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that offers much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna seems a little too aloof, notably when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Gus the Dog is convincing at flopping and whining – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to provide depth to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, since the dog is by far the cutest element of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their separation would feel more nuanced with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Making a film about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – though I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform this December.
