This is a widely held belief for numerous people that jointly caring for a canine companion after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such arrangements prevent former couples from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and become annoying for everyone involved. Apparently, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to become depressed.
Not to downplay the inner life of animals – many owners speak of their deep emotional capacity. If you need masterclass in pet despair, simply recall recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to split households. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on such a setup holds water is rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than what it is. We have here a holiday release from a corporate studio – the complexity are modest. The plot is destined to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will presumably realize the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – featuring a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually is reminiscent of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – exemplified by fake snow piled on green trees as a warm climate substitutes for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these familiar elements coalesce into a pleasant experience depends on the execution and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a wealth of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the dog, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on walking sequences, dog depression, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The tone vacillates between serious study, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, never fully committing to a consistent feel. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward inherent in the bizarre setting. His performance contains a charming humility that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna seems a little too aloof, especially when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Merv himself manages looking despondent – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a very good boy.)
The film attempts to give weight to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, considering the title character is easily the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The cause for their original breakup might seem more grounded and mature with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Making a film on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – but it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video this December.