It is a widely held belief among many that co-parenting a dog post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such arrangements hinder former couples from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for all parties. Apparently, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to feel down.
Without minimizing the mental health of our pets – many owners observe their profound sensitivity. To witness a masterclass in dog sorrow, consider another performance. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to life in two homes. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on this conflict is sustainable seems debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by the writing duo and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than its premise. It functions as a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions remains surface-level. The plot unfolds as straightforward: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as the usual assortment of types. Visually is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – exemplified by obvious snow effects clinging to lush pines as a warm climate stands in for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these predictable parts merge into an entertaining watch rests upon the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who browse regularly for pet content. It provides a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the dog, and though it results in some clunky cuts between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, in the end, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach shifts uneasily between relationship drama, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, not quite landing a single genre. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward inherent in the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. The character can feel a touch too detached, especially when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Gus the Dog manages looking despondent – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to add substance to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, given that Merv is easily the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their original breakup could have been more adult and realistic with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting every expected note. Making a film with this canine conflict is not terrible – though it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
