This is a widely held belief for numerous people that co-parenting a canine companion after a breakup is a terrible idea. Most will argue such situations prevent former couples from healing, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. As it turns out, as a development suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to become depressed.
While respecting the mental health of our pets – countless people speak of their deep emotional capacity. If you need prime example in pet despair, consider a past film. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adjusting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on such a setup holds water remains rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and directed by director Swale, doesn't pretend 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 simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they are better together. Side characters – played by familiar faces – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – as seen in flurries piled on green trees as North Carolina stands in for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
How these standard ingredients coalesce into something enjoyable hinges on the execution and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who browse regularly for dog videos. The film delivers a series of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the dog, and though it results in some awkward editing between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie delivers on canine party antics, pet moping, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise does not extend for the human side of the story. The tone vacillates between relationship drama, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, not quite landing a consistent feel. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe inherent in the dog resort scenario. He brings a charming humility that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. The character can feel a touch too detached, particularly when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Merv himself manages flopping and whining – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to add substance to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, since the dog is undoubtedly the best part of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their original breakup might seem more nuanced with less exposition and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Making a film with this canine conflict is not terrible – but it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
