It is a common warning in certain circles that jointly caring for a dog after a breakup is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such setups hinder former couples from healing, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and are a nuisance across the board. As it turns out, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to feel down.
Not to downplay the inner life of animals – pet parents observe their remarkable empathy. If you need standout portrayal in dog sorrow, simply recall another performance. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type played by Gus the Dog, would struggle coping with life in two homes. If this concept a full holiday film on such a setup is sustainable seems rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and under the guidance of director Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than what it is. This is a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions remains surface-level. The plot is destined to be uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – including a group of comedic actors – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – as seen in flurries piled on green trees as North Carolina doubles as a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these familiar elements merge into a pleasant experience depends on the execution and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who browse regularly for pet content. Audiences receive a series of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the canine star, and even if it causes some stilted moments between animal action and people's faces, the movie does offer walking sequences, dog depression, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. Its style vacillates between relationship drama, zany antics, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny required by the bizarre setting. His performance contains a charming humility that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal can feel a bit too dry, notably when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog is convincing at flopping and whining – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The story strives to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, given that the dog is easily the best part of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their separation might seem more adult and realistic with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling every expected note. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting is not terrible – but it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
