This is a widely held belief among many that jointly caring for a dog after a breakup is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such setups impede individuals from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and become annoying across the board. Seemingly, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to feel down.
Not to downplay the inner life of animals – countless people attest to their deep emotional capacity. For a masterclass in dog sorrow, consider another performance. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adapting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on such a setup holds water seems debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, the work of the writing duo and helmed by director Swale, never aspires to be deeper than its premise. It functions as a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the depth are modest. The plot is destined to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they are better together. Side characters – featuring a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look carries the feel of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – think obvious snow effects clinging to verdant foliage 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. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who browse regularly for dog videos. The film delivers a series of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the canine star, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success does not extend for the human side of the story. The film's approach wavers between relationship drama, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, not quite landing a single genre. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny required by the unusual premise. He brings a likable self-deprecation that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her Anna comes across as a touch too detached, particularly when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, the canine performer is convincing at looking despondent – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to add substance to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, since the title character is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their original breakup might seem more adult and realistic with more screen time and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting all its marks. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting has potential – even if I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform this December.
