This is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that sharing custody a dog after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such situations hinder former couples from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance across the board. As it turns out, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the inner life of dogs – countless people attest to their remarkable empathy. If you need prime example in dog sorrow, consider recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type played by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time coping with divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on such a setup is sustainable remains debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, written by its screenwriters and helmed by director Swale, never aspires to be deeper than its premise. We have here a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions are modest. Its storyline proves to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – played by a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. The film's look carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – exemplified by flurries clinging to verdant foliage as a warm climate doubles as a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
How these standard ingredients merge into something enjoyable hinges on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a series of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the dog, and even if it causes some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, dog depression, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness does not extend for the romantic plot. The film's approach vacillates between emotional depth, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and physical comedy, never fully committing to any one mode. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward demanded of the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a charming humility that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal can feel a touch too detached, particularly when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Merv himself is convincing at looking despondent – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains an excellent dog.)
The story strives to provide depth to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, since the title character is easily the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their separation might seem more nuanced with less exposition and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story with this canine conflict has potential – even if it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video this December.
