This is a widely held belief for numerous people that jointly caring for a dog after a breakup is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such arrangements prevent ex-partners from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance across the board. Seemingly, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to feel down.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of our pets – pet parents speak of their profound sensitivity. For a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, consider recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to divided living arrangements. If this concept an entire Christmas romance around this situation is sustainable is rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and under the guidance of director Swale, never aspires to be anything more than its premise. We have here a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the ambitions remains surface-level. The plot proves to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Side characters – featuring a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – think fake snow surrounding green trees as a warm climate stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these predictable parts come together into an entertaining watch depends on the strength of the performances and one's taste for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – the kind who seek out for dog videos. The film delivers a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the canine star, and while this leads to some stilted moments between animal action and human reaction, the movie does offer canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
This level of success cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. Its style shifts uneasily between relationship drama, broad humor, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a single genre. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is fully game the absurd and awkward inherent in the dog resort scenario. He brings a likable self-deprecation that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her Anna comes across as a touch too detached, notably when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, the canine performer manages acting depressed – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a very good boy.)
The story strives to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, considering the dog is undoubtedly the best part of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for the split would feel more nuanced with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling all its marks. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting is not terrible – even if I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Prime Video starting December 10.
