This is a widely held belief for numerous people that jointly caring for a canine companion after a breakup is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such setups impede individuals from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. As it turns out, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to feel down.
While respecting the mental health of our pets – many owners speak of their profound sensitivity. For a prime example in canine melancholy, one need only look recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adapting to split households. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on this conflict works effectively is debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of director Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than its premise. We have here a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity remains surface-level. The plot proves to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – including familiar faces – serve as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic has the quality of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – think obvious snow effects piled on green trees as North Carolina doubles as a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
How these standard ingredients come together into a pleasant experience hinges on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who scroll endlessly for dog videos. The film delivers a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the canine star, and though it results in some awkward editing between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the romantic plot. Its style wavers between emotional depth, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a single genre. This is not Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe required by the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her Anna can feel a little too aloof, especially when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Merv himself is convincing at looking despondent – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, given that the dog is undoubtedly the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The reason for the split might seem more grounded and mature with more screen time and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Making a film with this canine conflict has potential – even if it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
