It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that jointly caring for a pet after a breakup is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such situations impede ex-partners from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and become annoying for everyone involved. Seemingly, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to feel down.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of dogs – countless people observe their remarkable empathy. For a prime example in dog sorrow, one need only look another performance. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time coping with split households. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on this conflict is sustainable seems debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, written by its screenwriters and helmed by director Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than its premise. This is a holiday release from a corporate studio – the complexity are modest. The narrative proves to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will surely realize the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – featuring familiar faces – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – exemplified by obvious snow effects piled on lush pines as North Carolina doubles as a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these predictable parts come together into a pleasant experience hinges on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who scroll endlessly for dog videos. Audiences receive a series of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the dog, and even if it causes some stilted moments between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie does offer dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. Its style wavers between serious study, broad humor, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, failing to master a single genre. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe inherent in the bizarre setting. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. The character can feel a little too aloof, especially when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, the canine performer succeeds in acting depressed – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to add substance to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, since the dog is undoubtedly the best part of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their separation would feel more adult and realistic with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling every expected note. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – even if I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video this December.
