It is a widely held belief among many that jointly caring for a dog post-separation is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such situations hinder former couples from finding closure, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and become annoying for everyone involved. Seemingly, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to feel down.
While respecting the mental health of dogs – many owners observe their remarkable empathy. For a masterclass in pet despair, simply recall a past film. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adapting to life in two homes. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance around this situation is sustainable remains debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of director Swale, never aspires to be deeper than its premise. This is a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the complexity remains surface-level. The plot is destined to be straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – featuring a group of comedic actors – serve as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – as seen in flurries surrounding verdant foliage as a summer location substitutes for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these familiar elements come together into an entertaining watch depends on the execution and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – the kind who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is Merv himself, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie does offer dog beach fun, pet moping, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The film's approach wavers between emotional depth, zany antics, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, failing to master any one mode. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe demanded of the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that offers much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal comes across as a bit too dry, particularly when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog manages looking despondent – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, since the dog is easily the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for the split could have been more nuanced with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting every expected note. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – but it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
