This is a common warning in certain circles that jointly caring for a dog after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such arrangements impede ex-partners from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and are a nuisance across the board. As it turns out, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Without minimizing the inner life of dogs – pet parents speak of their remarkable empathy. If you need masterclass in canine melancholy, simply recall another performance. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix played by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to split households. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on this conflict is sustainable is debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and helmed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than its premise. We have here a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the ambitions remains surface-level. The plot is destined to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by flurries piled on green trees as a summer location doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these familiar elements merge into a pleasant experience depends on the execution and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who browse regularly for pet content. The film delivers a series of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and though it results in some stilted moments between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The tone shifts uneasily between emotional depth, zany antics, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a consistent feel. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is fully game the humiliating and funny demanded of the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that supplies much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal comes across as a bit too dry, particularly when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, the canine performer is convincing at looking despondent – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, given that Merv is undoubtedly the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The cause for the split might seem more nuanced with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting every expected note. Creating a movie with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – even if I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
