This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that jointly caring for a canine companion after a breakup is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such setups prevent former couples from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and prove frustrating across the board. Seemingly, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the inner life of dogs – pet parents attest to their deep emotional capacity. If you need prime example in dog sorrow, one need only look another performance. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adapting to life in two homes. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on this conflict holds water is a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and helmed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than a light film. This is a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions are modest. Its storyline unfolds as straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will presumably realize the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually carries the feel of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – as seen in obvious snow effects piled on lush pines as a summer location doubles as a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
If these familiar elements come together into something enjoyable hinges on the actors' work and one's taste for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who seek out for pet content. The film delivers a series of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the canine star, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between animal action and people's faces, the movie does offer dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise cannot be applied for the human side of the story. Its style shifts uneasily between serious study, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a single genre. This is not Cox's performance, who is fully game the humiliating and funny required by the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a charming humility that offers much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal comes across as a bit too dry, especially when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, the canine performer succeeds in acting depressed – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, since the dog is by far the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their original breakup might seem more adult and realistic with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – even if it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
