It is a widely held belief in certain circles that jointly caring for a dog following a split is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such situations hinder former couples from finding closure, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating across the board. Apparently, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to become depressed.
While respecting the emotional well-being of dogs – pet parents attest to their profound sensitivity. For a masterclass in canine melancholy, consider another performance. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adapting to life in two homes. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on such a setup is sustainable remains rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than a light film. We have here a holiday release from a corporate studio – the ambitions is limited. The narrative is destined to be simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – featuring a group of comedic actors – serve as the usual assortment of types. Visually has the quality of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – as seen in fake snow surrounding lush pines as a warm climate doubles as the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these predictable parts coalesce into a pleasant experience rests upon the strength of the performances and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who seek out for cute animal clips. It provides a series of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and though it results in some awkward editing between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, pet moping, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success does not extend for the romantic plot. The tone shifts uneasily between emotional depth, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a consistent feel. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny required by the unusual premise. He brings a likable self-deprecation that provides much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna seems a little too aloof, notably when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Gus the Dog succeeds in flopping and whining – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, since the title character is easily the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their separation would feel more grounded and mature with less exposition and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting all its marks. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – but it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
