This is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that jointly caring for a canine companion following a split is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such arrangements impede individuals from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and become annoying across the board. As it turns out, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to feel down.
While respecting the inner life of dogs – many owners speak of their remarkable empathy. For a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, one need only look recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adapting to life in two homes. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance around this situation works effectively remains a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than what it is. This is a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions remains surface-level. Its storyline is destined to be simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – as seen in obvious snow effects piled on green trees as a warm climate doubles as a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
If these predictable parts merge into an entertaining watch depends on the strength of the performances and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who browse regularly for cute animal clips. It provides a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the canine star, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie does offer walking sequences, dog depression, and, finally, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The tone wavers between serious study, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, failing to master a single genre. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is fully game the absurd and awkward required by the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal can feel a little too aloof, particularly when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Merv himself manages flopping and whining – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a very good boy.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, considering the dog is undoubtedly the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their separation would feel more nuanced with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, meeting every expected note. Making a film about dog co-parenting is not terrible – though it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Prime Video on December 10th.
