This is a widely held belief among many that co-parenting a canine companion after a breakup is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such arrangements prevent ex-partners from healing, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for all parties. As it turns out, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
While respecting the inner life of our pets – countless people attest to their deep emotional capacity. If you need prime example in canine melancholy, consider another performance. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adapting to divided living arrangements. If this concept an entire Christmas romance around this situation is sustainable remains a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and helmed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. This is a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the ambitions are modest. The narrative proves to be straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – featuring familiar faces – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually is reminiscent of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – as seen in obvious snow effects piled on verdant foliage as North Carolina doubles as a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
How these familiar elements coalesce into something enjoyable hinges on the execution and one's taste for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a series of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the canine star, and even if it causes some awkward editing between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, finally, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success is not earned for the human side of the story. The film's approach wavers between serious study, broad humor, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, failing to master any one mode. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is fully game the silliness and cringe inherent in the bizarre setting. He brings a charming humility that offers much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. The character comes across as a touch too detached, particularly when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog is convincing at acting depressed – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a very good boy.)
Merv tries to add substance to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, considering the dog is by far the best part of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their original breakup would feel more adult and realistic with less exposition and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, hitting all its marks. Making a film on this shared-custody premise has potential – even if it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
