This is a widely held belief among many that jointly caring for a pet after a breakup is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such arrangements hinder former couples from finding closure, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Seemingly, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the mental health of animals – many owners speak of their deep emotional capacity. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, one need only look another performance. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type played by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult coping with life in two homes. The idea of basing a full holiday film on such a setup is sustainable is rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. This is a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth is limited. The plot proves to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will surely realize the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – played by a group of comedic actors – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – think flurries piled on green trees as North Carolina stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
How these predictable parts coalesce into something enjoyable hinges on the actors' work and one's taste for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – individuals who seek out for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the canine star, and while this leads to some awkward editing between animal action and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, pet moping, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness is not earned for the human side of the story. The tone vacillates between relationship drama, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, never fully committing to a consistent feel. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the absurd and awkward required by the bizarre setting. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that provides much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal seems a bit too dry, especially when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Merv himself manages looking despondent – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, 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 Merv is undoubtedly the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their original breakup might seem more nuanced with more screen time and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting every expected note. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – even if it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
