This is a common warning among many that jointly caring for a dog post-separation is a terrible idea. Most will argue such situations hinder individuals from healing, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and become annoying across the board. As it turns out, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to feel down.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of our pets – countless people speak of their profound sensitivity. If you need prime example in dog sorrow, one need only look another performance. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type played by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle coping with life in two homes. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on such a setup works effectively is rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by director Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than what it is. We have here a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the complexity remains surface-level. Its storyline proves to be straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – including a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Visually carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – think obvious snow effects piled on lush pines as a warm climate stands in for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
How these predictable parts coalesce into a pleasant experience hinges on the actors' work and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – individuals who scroll endlessly for dog videos. The film delivers a series of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the dog, and though it results in some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie does offer dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness does not extend for the human side of the story. The film's approach shifts uneasily between relationship drama, zany antics, formulaic romance, and silly gags, never fully committing to any one mode. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe required by the dog resort scenario. He brings a endearing lack of ego that offers a significant portion of the appeal 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. The character can feel a little too aloof, especially when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, the canine performer succeeds in looking despondent – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a very good boy.)
The story strives to give weight to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, since Merv is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their separation might seem more adult and realistic with more screen time and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film about dog co-parenting is not terrible – though it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video starting December 10.
