This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that jointly caring for a pet post-separation is ill-advised. Most will argue such situations impede individuals from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and become annoying for all parties. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the inner life of dogs – pet parents observe their remarkable empathy. If you need prime example in canine melancholy, simply recall a past film. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time coping with split households. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on this conflict is sustainable is a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and helmed by director Swale, never aspires to be anything more than its premise. This is a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the depth remains surface-level. The plot is destined to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – featuring familiar faces – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – as seen in fake snow piled on green trees as a warm climate substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these standard ingredients coalesce into a pleasant experience depends on the execution and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. It provides a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the canine star, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
The same praise cannot be applied for the romantic plot. Its style wavers between relationship drama, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and physical comedy, not quite landing any one mode. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe demanded of the bizarre setting. He brings a endearing lack of ego that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. The character seems a bit too dry, notably when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, the canine performer manages acting depressed – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, considering the dog is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The cause for their separation could have been more nuanced with less exposition and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, hitting every expected note. Making a film with this canine conflict has potential – even if it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video on December 10th.
