It is a common warning in certain circles that jointly caring for a pet after a breakup is a terrible idea. Most will argue such arrangements impede former couples from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and become annoying for everyone involved. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to feel down.
While respecting the inner life of animals – pet parents observe their deep emotional capacity. To witness a masterclass in canine melancholy, consider a past film. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would struggle coping with split households. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance around this situation holds water seems rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by director Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than its premise. This is a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the depth is limited. The plot unfolds as straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – played by a group of comedic actors – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – think obvious snow effects surrounding verdant foliage as a summer location doubles as the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
How these predictable parts merge into a pleasant experience rests upon the execution and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who browse regularly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the canine star, and though it results in some awkward editing between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie does offer walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The tone vacillates between serious study, broad humor, predictable love story, and silly gags, failing to master a single genre. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is fully game the absurd and awkward required by the unusual premise. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. The character can feel a bit too dry, notably when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog manages looking despondent – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a very good boy.)
Merv tries to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, since the dog is easily the best part of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their separation might seem more grounded and mature with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film with this canine conflict has potential – though it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video on December 10th.
