This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that co-parenting a canine companion after a breakup is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such arrangements hinder individuals from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Seemingly, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to become depressed.
While respecting the inner life of dogs – countless people attest to their profound sensitivity. For a masterclass in pet despair, simply recall another performance. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adapting to life in two homes. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on such a setup holds water remains rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than what it is. This is a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the complexity is limited. The narrative is destined to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually is reminiscent of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – exemplified by flurries surrounding verdant foliage as a summer location doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
If these familiar elements merge into an entertaining watch hinges on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who browse regularly for cute animal clips. It provides a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the dog, and while this leads to some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness does not extend for the romantic plot. Its style vacillates between emotional depth, zany antics, predictable love story, and silly gags, never fully committing to a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe required by the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a charming humility that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. The character seems a bit too dry, notably when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself succeeds in flopping and whining – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, since Merv is easily the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their original breakup might seem more adult and realistic with more screen time and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie with this canine conflict has potential – but I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
