It is a common warning in certain circles that jointly caring for a canine companion after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such arrangements hinder former couples from finding closure, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and become annoying for all parties. As it turns out, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the canine in question to become depressed.
While respecting the emotional well-being of animals – pet parents attest to their deep emotional capacity. To witness a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, consider recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult coping with life in two homes. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance around this situation is sustainable remains debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of director Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than what it is. We have here a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the ambitions is limited. Its storyline proves to be simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – featuring a group of comedic actors – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – think fake snow surrounding lush pines as a warm climate substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
If these predictable parts coalesce into an entertaining watch rests upon the strength of the performances and an acceptance of comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a series of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the dog, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie delivers on walking sequences, pet moping, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise does not extend for the human side of the story. Its style vacillates between relationship drama, zany antics, predictable love story, and physical comedy, not quite landing any one mode. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward required by the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna seems a bit too dry, particularly when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Gus the Dog manages acting depressed – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, given that the dog is undoubtedly the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their separation might seem more grounded and mature with less exposition and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling every expected note. Making a film with this canine conflict has potential – though it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video this December.
