It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that jointly caring for a pet post-separation is ill-advised. Most will argue such setups prevent individuals from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and become annoying for all parties. As it turns out, as a development suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the canine in question to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of animals – countless people attest to their deep emotional capacity. If you need masterclass in dog sorrow, one need only look a past film. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adapting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a full holiday film on this conflict works effectively remains a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, written by the writing duo and directed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than a light film. We have here a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth is limited. The plot is destined to be simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will presumably realize the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – featuring familiar faces – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look has the quality of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – as seen in obvious snow effects piled on green trees as a warm climate stands in for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these standard ingredients come together into an entertaining watch depends on the execution and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who browse regularly for cute animal clips. It provides a series of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the canine star, and though it results in some clunky cuts between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success is not earned for the romantic plot. The film's approach shifts uneasily between relationship drama, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a single genre. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny demanded of the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a charming humility that supplies much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna can feel a little too aloof, notably when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog manages flopping and whining – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, given that the title character is undoubtedly the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The cause for their separation would feel more adult and realistic with more screen time and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – but it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video on December 10th.
