This is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that jointly caring for a canine companion after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such arrangements hinder former couples from healing, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and become annoying across the board. As it turns out, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the inner life of animals – pet parents attest to their remarkable empathy. If you need prime example in canine melancholy, simply recall a past film. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to life in two homes. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on such a setup works effectively seems debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and helmed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than what it is. This is a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions is limited. The plot is destined to be straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Visually has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – as seen in flurries clinging to green trees as a summer location doubles as the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these standard ingredients merge into something enjoyable depends on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a series of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is Merv himself, and though it results in some clunky cuts between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, dog depression, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise cannot be applied for the romantic plot. Its style vacillates between relationship drama, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a single genre. This is not Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward inherent in the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that provides much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her Anna seems a bit too dry, especially when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Gus the Dog succeeds in acting depressed – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains an excellent dog.)
The story strives to add substance to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, given that Merv is undoubtedly the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their original breakup could have been more grounded and mature with more screen time and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting all its marks. Making a film on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – though it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
