It is a widely held belief among many that jointly caring for a dog after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such arrangements prevent former couples from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and prove frustrating across the board. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to become depressed.
Not to downplay the inner life of our pets – many owners attest to their deep emotional capacity. For a masterclass in pet despair, simply recall a past film. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adapting to split households. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on this conflict is sustainable is debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than what it is. It functions as a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the depth remains surface-level. The narrative proves to be uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – played by familiar faces – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – as seen in fake snow piled on lush pines as North Carolina doubles as a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
How these predictable parts come together into a pleasant experience depends on the execution and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who seek out for pet content. The film delivers a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and though it results in some clunky cuts between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, dog depression, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness does not extend for the romantic plot. The film's approach shifts uneasily between relationship drama, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, not quite landing any one mode. This is not Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny demanded of the bizarre setting. He brings a endearing lack of ego that provides much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. The character can feel a little too aloof, notably when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog manages acting depressed – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to add substance to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, considering Merv is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for the split would feel more adult and realistic with less exposition and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling all its marks. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – though it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video on December 10th.
