This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that jointly caring for a pet after a breakup is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such situations impede ex-partners from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for all parties. As it turns out, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to feel down.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of dogs – countless people observe their profound sensitivity. For a prime example in canine melancholy, simply recall recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog played by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adapting to life in two homes. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on such a setup works effectively is debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than its premise. We have here a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the complexity is limited. Its storyline proves to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – including familiar faces – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Visually has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – think obvious snow effects piled on lush pines as North Carolina stands in for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these standard ingredients coalesce into something enjoyable hinges on the execution and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. It provides a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the dog, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between animal action and human reaction, the movie does offer canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Human Element
The same praise does not extend for the romantic plot. Its style wavers between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, not quite landing a single genre. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward required by the dog resort scenario. He brings a likable self-deprecation that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her Anna comes across as a bit too dry, notably when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself succeeds in acting depressed – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a very good boy.)
Merv tries to give weight to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, given that the dog is easily the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their original breakup could have been more adult and realistic with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting all its marks. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – though I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
