This is a widely held belief among many that jointly caring for a dog after a breakup is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such arrangements impede individuals from finding closure, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and are a nuisance across the board. Seemingly, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to become depressed.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of our pets – pet parents speak of their deep emotional capacity. To witness a prime example in canine melancholy, one need only look recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by Gus the Dog, would struggle adapting to life in two homes. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on this conflict works effectively remains a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, written by the writing duo and directed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than its premise. This is a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity is limited. Its storyline proves to be straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will surely realize the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – including a group of comedic actors – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – think fake snow clinging to verdant foliage as a summer location stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these predictable parts merge into a pleasant experience hinges on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – the kind who seek out for dog videos. Audiences receive a series of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is Merv himself, and while this leads to some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie delivers on walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The tone wavers between relationship drama, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a single genre. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny inherent in the unusual premise. He brings a endearing lack of ego that supplies much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal seems a bit too dry, notably when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog succeeds in looking despondent – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to give weight to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, considering the title character is easily the best part of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The cause for the split would feel more grounded and mature with less exposition and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting all its marks. Making a film on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – though I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video starting December 10.
