This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that jointly caring for a pet after a breakup is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such arrangements impede ex-partners from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance across the board. As it turns out, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to become depressed.
While respecting the inner life of dogs – many owners attest to their profound sensitivity. To witness a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, simply recall a past film. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adapting to split households. Whether this premise a full holiday film on this conflict works effectively remains rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and directed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than its premise. We have here a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the complexity are modest. The narrative is destined to be uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – including familiar faces – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic has the quality of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – as seen in flurries surrounding verdant foliage as North Carolina doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these predictable parts merge into something enjoyable rests upon the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who seek out for pet content. The film delivers a series of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and though it results in some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie does offer canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success does not extend for the romantic plot. The tone vacillates between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, failing to master any one mode. This is not Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward inherent in the bizarre setting. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. The character seems a touch too detached, especially when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, the canine performer succeeds in flopping and whining – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a very good boy.)
The film attempts to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, considering the dog is undoubtedly the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The cause for their original breakup might seem more grounded and mature with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting all its marks. Creating a movie with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – even if it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Prime Video on December 10th.
