It is a common warning among many that co-parenting a canine companion after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such arrangements impede individuals from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. As it turns out, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to feel down.
While respecting the mental health of animals – many owners observe their deep emotional capacity. To witness a masterclass in canine melancholy, simply recall a past film. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by Gus the Dog, would struggle adjusting to split households. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on this conflict holds water remains debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, written by its screenwriters and directed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than what it is. It functions as a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the complexity are modest. Its storyline unfolds as uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – played by familiar faces – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – think fake snow clinging to verdant foliage as a summer location doubles as a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these familiar elements come together into an entertaining watch rests upon the strength of the performances and an acceptance of easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – the kind who scroll endlessly for pet content. The film delivers a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and while this leads to some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Human Element
This level of success is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The tone wavers between emotional depth, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and silly gags, never fully committing to any one mode. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe required by the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that offers much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna seems a little too aloof, particularly when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog is convincing at flopping and whining – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a very good boy.)
Merv tries to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, considering Merv is easily the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for the split would feel more adult and realistic with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting all its marks. Crafting a story with this canine conflict has potential – even if it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
