It is a common warning for numerous people that co-parenting a pet after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such arrangements prevent former couples from finding closure, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and become annoying across the board. Seemingly, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to become depressed.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of dogs – countless people attest to their deep emotional capacity. To witness a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, one need only look a past film. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time coping with life in two homes. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on such a setup holds water remains rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and directed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than its premise. We have here a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the depth remains surface-level. Its storyline unfolds as simple and direct: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – including a group of comedic actors – serve as the usual assortment of types. Visually is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – think flurries clinging to lush pines as a warm climate doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
How these familiar elements come together into an entertaining watch rests upon the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who scroll endlessly for pet content. Audiences receive a wealth of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the dog, and while this leads to some stilted moments between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, pet moping, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success is not earned for the human side of the story. The tone shifts uneasily between relationship drama, broad humor, formulaic romance, and silly gags, failing to master any one mode. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is fully game the silliness and cringe inherent in the unusual premise. He brings a endearing lack of ego that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. The character comes across as a touch too detached, especially when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, the canine performer manages flopping and whining – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a very good boy.)
The story strives to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, since Merv is by far the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their original breakup could have been more grounded and mature with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling all its marks. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting has potential – even if it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
