It is a widely held belief for numerous people that co-parenting a pet following a split is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such situations hinder individuals from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for all parties. Seemingly, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it also makes our furry friends to feel down.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of animals – many owners observe their profound sensitivity. If you need masterclass in dog sorrow, simply recall another performance. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would struggle coping with life in two homes. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on this conflict is sustainable is debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than its premise. We have here a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions remains surface-level. Its storyline is destined to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they are better together. Side characters – featuring a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Visually is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – as seen in obvious snow effects clinging to verdant foliage as a summer location doubles as a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
How these familiar elements coalesce into a pleasant experience depends on the execution and one's taste for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who browse regularly for dog videos. Audiences receive a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie does offer canine party antics, pet moping, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise is not earned for the romantic plot. The tone shifts uneasily between relationship drama, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a consistent feel. This is not Charlie Cox, who is fully game the humiliating and funny inherent in the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna can feel a bit too dry, notably when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, the canine performer manages looking despondent – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, considering the dog is by far the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their original breakup could have been more grounded and mature with more screen time and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – but it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video this December.
