This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that jointly caring for a dog after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such arrangements prevent former couples from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and become annoying for everyone involved. Seemingly, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to experience sadness.
While respecting the emotional well-being of animals – countless people observe their deep emotional capacity. For a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, simply recall a past film. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adapting to divided living arrangements. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on such a setup is sustainable is debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, written by its screenwriters and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than what it is. We have here a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the complexity is limited. Its storyline proves to be straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will surely realize the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – featuring a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic has the quality of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – exemplified by obvious snow effects clinging to green trees as a warm climate stands in for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these familiar elements merge into an entertaining watch hinges on the execution and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – the kind who scroll endlessly for pet content. The film delivers a wealth of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the dog, and though it results in some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, dog depression, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise does not extend for the romantic plot. Its style vacillates between emotional depth, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, failing to master any one mode. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the silliness and cringe demanded of the unusual premise. He brings a likable self-deprecation that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. The character can feel a little too aloof, notably when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, the canine performer manages looking despondent – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to add substance to the central romance for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, since Merv is easily the best part of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their original breakup might seem more nuanced with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting has potential – even if it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
