Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)
Merv is streaming on Prime Video.
Never before has pet parenting been treated with the seriousness it enjoys in the 21st century, ushering in an entire ecosystem of services designed for furry children, from exclusive pet parks to pet-friendly gourmet dining experiences. Cashing in on the pet love all around, Christmas romantic comedy ‘Merv’ follows a recently broken-up couple who attempt to lift their pet’s spirits after a vet explains that he has become sad and depressed due to their separation and the resulting changes in his life.
Directed by Jessica Swale, ‘Merv’ stars Charlie Cox as elementary teacher Russ Owens, and Zooey Deschanel as his ex-girlfriend Anna Finch, an optometrist, who decide to put their differences aside to cheer their adorable pet. Most of the romantic drama then unfolds on a beach vacation Russ takes to brighten up his pet’s week, but Anna decides to crash it as a surprise.
Dog lovers won’t help but go a ‘aww’ every time Merv comes on screen, however, despite being the titular protagonist, he doesn’t get enough screen time. For instance, you don’t feel that about the pet protagonist in the Netflix film ‘Caramelo’, where the dog truly feels like the emotional center of the story.
In truth, ‘Merv’ is less about the dog and more about the couple at its core, two people everyone assumes are perfect for each other. The reason behind their breakup, however, remains a mild mystery for much of the runtime.
Their beloved pet ends up orchestrating a subtle “Parent Trap” of his own, using his heartbreak to nudge the couple back into each other’s orbit and rediscover how good they work as a team.
Charlie Cox and Zooey Deschanel are quite charming together as Russ and Anna, though their chemistry remains fairly understated. Zooey also stumbles slightly in some of the film’s heavier emotional moments, which granted are quite few.
‘Merv’ features fun, upbeat background music, with the creators sprinkling in several playful, animal-themed songs throughout the runtime. There’s even a lively dance sequence in the second half, where Charlie Cox’s Russ surprises both Anna and the audience with his unexpected groove. That said, the film’s pacing can feel uneven.
Overall, this is a decent Christmas-themed film, with cheery visuals, likable characters, and some really cute dogs! So if you love watching movies centered around pets, give this is a go.
Rating: 6 on 10. Watch ‘Merv’ on Prime Video.
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