This is a widely held belief in certain circles that jointly caring for a pet after a breakup is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such situations impede former couples from healing, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and become annoying across the board. Apparently, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to become depressed.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of animals – many owners speak of their profound sensitivity. If you need prime example in pet despair, simply recall a past film. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adapting to life in two homes. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on such a setup is sustainable is debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than a light film. We have here a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth is limited. Its storyline proves to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will surely realize the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – think fake snow piled on verdant foliage as North Carolina stands in for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
If these familiar elements coalesce into an entertaining watch rests upon the actors' work and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who browse regularly for dog videos. Audiences receive a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the canine star, and even if it causes some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, finally, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness does not extend for the interpersonal drama. Its style shifts uneasily between emotional depth, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and silly gags, never fully committing to a single genre. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny inherent in the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a charming humility that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. The character can feel a touch too detached, especially when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Merv himself manages acting depressed – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a very good boy.)
The story strives to provide depth to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, given that the dog is easily the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for the split would feel more grounded and mature with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film about dog co-parenting is not terrible – even if it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Prime Video starting December 10.
