It is a widely held belief for numerous people that jointly caring for a pet after a breakup is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such setups prevent former couples from healing, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Apparently, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to become depressed.
While respecting the emotional well-being of animals – countless people speak of their deep emotional capacity. To witness a prime example in dog sorrow, consider a past film. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle coping with life in two homes. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on such a setup works effectively remains debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than what it is. We have here a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the depth is limited. Its storyline is destined to be straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – featuring familiar faces – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – think obvious snow effects piled on green trees as North Carolina substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these predictable parts merge into an entertaining watch rests upon the strength of the performances and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – those people who seek out for cute animal clips. The film delivers a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the dog, and while this leads to some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie does offer walking sequences, pet moping, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
The same praise does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The tone vacillates between relationship drama, zany antics, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, failing to master a single genre. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is fully game the humiliating and funny inherent in the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal can feel a bit too dry, notably when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Merv himself manages flopping and whining – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, since the title character is easily the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their separation would feel more adult and realistic with more screen time and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling all its marks. Crafting a story with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – but it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video on December 10th.
