It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that jointly caring for a canine companion after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such situations prevent ex-partners from healing, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Seemingly, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to feel down.
While respecting the emotional well-being of our pets – pet parents speak of their deep emotional capacity. If you need standout portrayal in dog sorrow, one need only look another performance. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time coping with split households. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on this conflict is sustainable remains a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than a light film. This is a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions are modest. The narrative is destined to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic has the quality of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – as seen in obvious snow effects piled on green trees as North Carolina stands in for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
If these predictable parts coalesce into an entertaining watch depends on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who seek out for dog videos. It provides a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the dog, and while this leads to some stilted moments between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, dog depression, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness is not earned for the romantic plot. The tone vacillates between emotional depth, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and silly gags, never fully committing to any one mode. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is fully game the silliness and cringe demanded of the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a charming humility that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. The character can feel a bit too dry, especially when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself manages looking despondent – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to add substance to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, considering the title character is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for the split would feel more grounded and mature with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting all its marks. Crafting a story with this canine conflict has potential – though I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video on December 10th.