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 hinder individuals from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and prove frustrating across the board. Seemingly, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to feel down.
While respecting the emotional well-being of animals – pet parents observe their profound sensitivity. For a prime example in pet despair, consider a past film. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type played by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adjusting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a full holiday film on this conflict is sustainable is debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than what it is. It functions as a holiday release from a corporate studio – the ambitions is limited. The plot proves to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will presumably realize the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – think fake snow surrounding green trees as a warm climate stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
How these familiar elements coalesce into a pleasant experience hinges on the strength of the performances and one's taste for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – those people who seek out for pet content. Audiences receive a plethora of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the dog, and while this leads to some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie delivers on walking sequences, dog depression, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The tone vacillates between emotional depth, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, not quite landing a single genre. This is not Charlie Cox, 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 ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. The character comes across as a bit too dry, particularly when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog manages acting depressed – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a very good boy.)
Merv tries to give weight to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, considering the dog is by far the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for the split would feel more adult and realistic with less exposition and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting has potential – even if it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
