This is a widely held belief for numerous people that sharing custody a dog after a breakup is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such arrangements impede former couples from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for all parties. As it turns out, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes our furry friends to feel down.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of animals – many owners observe their remarkable empathy. To witness a prime example in canine melancholy, one need only look recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adapting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on such a setup works effectively seems a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and helmed by director Swale, never aspires to be deeper than a light film. It functions as a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the depth are modest. Its storyline is destined to be simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Side characters – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as the usual assortment of types. The film's look is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – exemplified by obvious snow effects surrounding lush pines as a summer location stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these familiar elements come together into a pleasant experience rests upon the actors' work and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – individuals who browse regularly for dog videos. Audiences receive a wealth of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is Merv himself, and even if it causes some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, finally, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success is not earned for the romantic plot. Its style shifts uneasily between relationship drama, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, not quite landing a single genre. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward demanded of the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal comes across as a touch too detached, particularly when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, the canine performer succeeds in looking despondent – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to give weight to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, given that Merv is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The cause for their separation would feel more nuanced with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling every expected note. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting has potential – but it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
