This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that co-parenting a pet after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such situations hinder former couples from moving forward, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and become annoying for all parties. Seemingly, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of dogs – countless people speak of their deep emotional capacity. If you need masterclass in canine melancholy, one need only look recent cinema. I firmly believe 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 adapting to life in two homes. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on such a setup holds water remains a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, the work of the writing duo and directed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than its premise. We have here a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth is limited. The plot is destined to be straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will surely realize the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually has the quality of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – think fake snow surrounding green trees as a warm climate substitutes for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
How these predictable parts coalesce into a pleasant experience rests upon the actors' work and an acceptance of comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who scroll endlessly for dog videos. It provides a wealth of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the canine star, and while this leads to some stilted moments between animal action and people's faces, the movie delivers on walking sequences, pet moping, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise is not earned for the romantic plot. The tone wavers between relationship drama, broad humor, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, not quite landing any one mode. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny demanded of the dog resort scenario. He brings a endearing lack of ego that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. The character can feel a bit too dry, especially when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog is convincing at flopping and whining – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to provide depth to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, since Merv is by far the best part of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The reason for their separation would feel more grounded and mature with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story with this canine conflict has potential – even if I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video starting December 10.
