This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that jointly caring for a canine companion following a split is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such setups hinder former couples from moving forward, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. As it turns out, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to feel down.
Without minimizing the inner life of our pets – pet parents speak of their profound sensitivity. If you need standout portrayal in pet despair, one need only look recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adjusting to life in two homes. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on this conflict is sustainable is rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than a light film. We have here a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions is limited. The plot is destined to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – featuring a group of comedic actors – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – as seen in obvious snow effects surrounding green trees as a warm climate substitutes for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these standard ingredients merge into an entertaining watch hinges on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who scroll endlessly for pet content. The film delivers a plethora of canine-centric sequences. 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 does offer dog beach fun, pet moping, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness does not extend for the romantic plot. The tone wavers between emotional depth, broad humor, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to any one mode. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the humiliating and funny demanded of the bizarre setting. He brings a likable self-deprecation that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna can feel a touch too detached, particularly when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Gus the Dog manages looking despondent – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to add substance to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, given that the dog is easily the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their original breakup could have been more nuanced with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, meeting all its marks. Creating a movie with this canine conflict has potential – though I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video on December 10th.
