This is a widely held belief for numerous people that jointly caring for a dog following a split is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such situations impede former couples from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and prove frustrating across the board. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to become depressed.
Without minimizing the inner life of dogs – pet parents attest to their profound sensitivity. If you need masterclass in canine melancholy, simply recall another performance. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adapting to life in two homes. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom around this situation works effectively seems rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and directed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than what it is. We have here a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions remains surface-level. The plot is destined to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they are better together. Side characters – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually carries the feel of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – exemplified by obvious snow effects surrounding verdant foliage as a summer location stands in for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these familiar elements come together into something enjoyable depends on the actors' work and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – the kind who browse regularly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a wealth of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the dog, and though it results in some awkward editing between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on canine party antics, dog depression, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise does not extend for the romantic plot. The tone wavers between relationship drama, zany antics, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, failing to master any one mode. This is not Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny inherent in the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a charming humility that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her Anna can feel a bit too dry, notably when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Merv himself succeeds in looking despondent – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a very good boy.)
The film attempts to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, since Merv is easily the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for the split might seem more adult and realistic with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting is not terrible – even if I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video on December 10th.
