This is a common warning for numerous people that jointly caring for a canine companion after a breakup is ill-advised. Most will argue such arrangements prevent individuals from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating across the board. Apparently, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of animals – pet parents attest to their deep emotional capacity. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, consider a past film. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adapting to split households. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on such a setup is sustainable is a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than a light film. This is a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the complexity are modest. Its storyline unfolds as straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they are better together. Side characters – including familiar faces – serve as the usual assortment of types. The film's look carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – think fake snow piled on lush pines as a summer location substitutes for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
If these standard ingredients come together into something enjoyable depends on the execution and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who browse regularly for dog videos. It provides a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is Merv himself, and even if it causes some stilted moments between animal action and people's faces, the movie does offer canine party antics, pet moping, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The film's approach vacillates between relationship drama, broad humor, predictable love story, and silly gags, never fully committing to a single genre. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny demanded of the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a charming humility that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal comes across as a bit too dry, especially when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Merv himself is convincing at flopping and whining – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a very good boy.)
The story strives to provide depth to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, since the dog is by far the best part of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their separation could have been more grounded and mature with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting every expected note. Creating a movie with this canine conflict is not terrible – even if it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform this December.
