It is a common warning among many that co-parenting a canine companion following a split is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such setups impede individuals from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. As it turns out, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the inner life of our pets – countless people attest to their deep emotional capacity. For a masterclass in canine melancholy, one need only look a past film. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adapting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on such a setup is sustainable is rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than its premise. It functions as a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions is limited. The plot unfolds as straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – played by familiar faces – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by flurries piled on green trees as a summer location doubles as the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
If these standard ingredients coalesce into a pleasant experience hinges on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who scroll endlessly for pet content. It provides a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the canine star, and while this leads to some stilted moments between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success is not earned for the interpersonal drama. Its style shifts uneasily between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, failing to master a consistent feel. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward required by the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a charming humility that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal seems a touch too detached, notably when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, the canine performer manages looking despondent – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a very good boy.)
The story strives to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, considering the title character is by far the best part of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for the split would feel more grounded and mature with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting every expected note. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – even if it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video this December.
