This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that jointly caring for a pet post-separation is a terrible idea. Most will argue such situations prevent ex-partners from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. As it turns out, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to feel down.
While respecting the mental health of animals – many owners speak of their profound sensitivity. If you need standout portrayal in dog sorrow, consider another performance. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adjusting to split households. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance around this situation holds water remains rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than what it is. We have here a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth is limited. Its storyline unfolds as uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – played by familiar faces – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – exemplified by obvious snow effects clinging to lush pines as a warm climate stands in for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
If these standard ingredients merge into a pleasant experience depends on the execution and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – the kind who seek out for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the canine star, and though it results in some stilted moments between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, dog depression, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach wavers between emotional depth, broad humor, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a single genre. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward required by the dog resort scenario. He brings a likable self-deprecation that supplies much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal can feel a little too aloof, particularly when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog manages acting depressed – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still an excellent dog.)
The story strives to provide depth to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, given that the dog is by far the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their separation would feel more adult and realistic with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film about dog co-parenting is not terrible – though it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform this December.
