This is a widely held belief for numerous people that jointly caring for a dog after a breakup is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such situations impede former couples from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating across the board. As it turns out, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to become depressed.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of animals – countless people speak of their remarkable empathy. To witness a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, consider recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adapting to life in two homes. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on this conflict works effectively remains rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than a light film. We have here a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth remains surface-level. The plot proves to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – played by familiar faces – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic has the quality of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – think fake snow piled on lush pines as a warm climate substitutes for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
How these standard ingredients merge into an entertaining watch depends on the execution and one's taste for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – the kind who scroll endlessly for pet content. Audiences receive a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the canine star, and while this leads to some awkward editing between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, dog depression, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Human Element
The same praise is not earned for the romantic plot. The tone shifts uneasily between emotional depth, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and silly gags, not quite landing a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is fully game the absurd and awkward inherent in the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a charming humility that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. The character comes across as a bit too dry, especially when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, the canine performer manages acting depressed – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to give weight to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, since the title character is by far the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their separation would feel more nuanced with less exposition and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting all its marks. Crafting a story with this canine conflict is not terrible – but it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video this December.
