It is a common warning among many that jointly caring for a pet after a breakup is ill-advised. Most will argue such arrangements prevent former couples from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Apparently, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it also makes our furry friends to feel down.
Not to downplay the inner life of animals – countless people speak of their remarkable empathy. To witness a standout portrayal in pet despair, one need only look another performance. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would struggle coping with divided living arrangements. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance around this situation works effectively remains a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of the writing duo and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than its premise. We have here a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the ambitions remains surface-level. The narrative is destined to be straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – featuring familiar faces – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look has the quality of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – as seen in fake snow surrounding verdant foliage as a warm climate stands in for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
If these familiar elements coalesce into something enjoyable depends on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – the kind who seek out for dog videos. It provides a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and though it results in some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie does offer canine party antics, dog depression, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise does not extend for the interpersonal drama. Its style wavers between emotional depth, broad humor, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to any one mode. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward inherent in the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that supplies much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. The character seems a bit too dry, particularly when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog manages flopping and whining – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, given that the title character is by far the cutest element of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The cause for their original breakup might seem more grounded and mature with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting all its marks. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – though I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
