It is a widely held belief for numerous people that jointly caring for a canine companion post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such arrangements impede former couples from moving forward, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and become annoying across the board. As it turns out, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it also makes our furry friends to experience sadness.
While respecting the inner life of our pets – many owners attest to their deep emotional capacity. To witness a standout portrayal in pet despair, simply recall recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix played by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult coping with split households. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on such a setup works effectively remains debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than its premise. It functions as a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions remains surface-level. The narrative unfolds as uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – exemplified by obvious snow effects surrounding lush pines as a warm climate stands in for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these predictable parts merge into something enjoyable rests upon the actors' work and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – the kind who seek out for dog videos. It provides a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is Merv himself, and even if it causes some awkward editing between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on walking sequences, dog depression, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The film's approach wavers between relationship drama, zany antics, predictable love story, and physical comedy, not quite landing a single genre. This is not Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny required by the unusual premise. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that provides much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal comes across as a touch too detached, notably when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself manages flopping and whining – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The story strives to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, given that Merv is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for the split might seem more grounded and mature with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, hitting every expected note. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting is not terrible – but it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Prime Video this December.
