This is a common warning among many that jointly caring for a canine companion post-separation is ill-advised. Most will argue such arrangements impede ex-partners from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Apparently, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the inner life of dogs – many owners attest to their remarkable empathy. If you need prime example in pet despair, consider another performance. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to split households. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance around this situation holds water seems debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of the writing duo and directed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than its premise. This is a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions is limited. The narrative unfolds as simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Visually carries the feel of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – think obvious snow effects clinging to green trees as North Carolina substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these predictable parts coalesce into a pleasant experience hinges on the execution and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who scroll endlessly for dog videos. It provides a plethora of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the canine star, and though it results in some stilted moments between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success cannot be applied for the human side of the story. Its style wavers between emotional depth, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, failing to master a consistent feel. This is not Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny demanded of the bizarre setting. He brings a endearing lack of ego that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna seems a bit too dry, notably when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Merv himself is convincing at looking despondent – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, given that Merv is undoubtedly the best part of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for the split would feel more grounded and mature with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting every expected note. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting has potential – though it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video starting December 10.
