This is a widely held belief in certain circles that jointly caring for a pet post-separation is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such arrangements prevent former couples from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and are a nuisance across the board. As it turns out, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to feel down.
While respecting the emotional well-being of our pets – pet parents attest to their deep emotional capacity. If you need prime example in canine melancholy, consider another performance. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle coping with life in two homes. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on such a setup holds water seems a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than a light film. We have here a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the depth is limited. The plot unfolds as uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will surely rediscover the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – played by familiar faces – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic has the quality of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by obvious snow effects piled on verdant foliage as North Carolina stands in for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these standard ingredients coalesce into an entertaining watch rests upon the actors' work and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – those people who browse regularly for cute animal clips. It provides a series of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the dog, and though it results in some clunky cuts between animal action and human reaction, the movie delivers on walking sequences, pet moping, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success does not extend for the romantic plot. Its style shifts uneasily between emotional depth, broad humor, predictable love story, and silly gags, never fully committing to a single genre. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny required by the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. The character seems a little too aloof, especially when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog is convincing at flopping and whining – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to give weight to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, considering Merv is undoubtedly the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The reason for their original breakup would feel more grounded and mature with more screen time and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting every expected note. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting is not terrible – though I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
