This is a common warning among many that jointly caring for a canine companion following a split is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such arrangements impede ex-partners from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for all parties. As it turns out, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to feel down.
Without minimizing the inner life of dogs – many owners attest to their remarkable empathy. If you need prime example in canine melancholy, simply recall another performance. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to split households. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on this conflict is sustainable is a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, the work of the writing duo and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. We have here a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions is limited. Its storyline is destined to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – played by a group of comedic actors – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. The film's look is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – exemplified by flurries piled on verdant foliage as a warm climate substitutes for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these familiar elements come together into something enjoyable depends on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – individuals who scroll endlessly for dog videos. Audiences receive a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the canine star, and even if it causes some stilted moments between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, pet moping, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The tone vacillates between emotional depth, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a single genre. This is not Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward demanded of the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her Anna comes across as a bit too dry, especially when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, the canine performer is convincing at looking despondent – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to give weight to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, considering Merv is by far the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for the split could have been more adult and realistic with less exposition and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – though I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video starting December 10.
