This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that jointly caring for a dog following a split is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such arrangements impede former couples from moving forward, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. As it turns out, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to become depressed.
Not to downplay the mental health of our pets – many owners speak of their profound sensitivity. If you need standout portrayal in dog sorrow, simply recall recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog played by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adapting to split households. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance around this situation holds water is debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than a light film. This is a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the complexity remains surface-level. Its storyline is destined to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will surely rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – played by a group of comedic actors – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic has the quality of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – as seen in flurries clinging to verdant foliage as North Carolina substitutes for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
How these familiar elements come together into a pleasant experience hinges on the strength of the performances and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – those people who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is Merv himself, and though it results in some awkward editing between animal action and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, dog depression, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The tone shifts uneasily between relationship drama, zany antics, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, failing to master any one mode. This is not Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny inherent in the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna seems a little too aloof, notably when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Merv himself manages flopping and whining – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains an excellent dog.)
The story strives to provide depth to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, given that the dog is easily the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for the split might seem more grounded and mature with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, hitting all its marks. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting has potential – though it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform this December.
