This is a widely held belief in certain circles that jointly caring for a dog after a breakup is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such setups prevent former couples from healing, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for all parties. As it turns out, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to become depressed.
While respecting the inner life of our pets – many owners speak of their profound sensitivity. For a masterclass in canine melancholy, one need only look a past film. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adapting to split households. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on such a setup works effectively remains debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of director Swale, never aspires to be anything more than its premise. We have here a holiday release from a corporate studio – the depth remains surface-level. The narrative unfolds as simple and direct: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – featuring a group of comedic actors – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually has the quality of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – as seen in obvious snow effects piled on green trees as a warm climate doubles as a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
How these predictable parts coalesce into a pleasant experience depends on the actors' work and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who seek out for pet content. It provides a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the canine star, and while this leads to some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie does offer canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The tone shifts uneasily between relationship drama, zany antics, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, failing to master a single genre. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward demanded of the dog resort scenario. He brings a charming humility that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal seems a bit too dry, notably when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Merv himself succeeds in looking despondent – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, given that Merv is easily the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for the split might seem more adult and realistic with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, meeting all its marks. Making a film about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – though I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Prime Video starting December 10.
