This is a common warning among many that co-parenting a canine companion after a breakup is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such arrangements prevent individuals from healing, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for all parties. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes our furry friends to become depressed.
While respecting the mental health of our pets – many owners attest to their remarkable empathy. To witness a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, one need only look another performance. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adjusting to divided living arrangements. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on such a setup holds water is rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and under the guidance of director Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than its premise. It functions as a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the depth are modest. The plot unfolds as simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as the usual assortment of types. Visually has the quality of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – think obvious snow effects surrounding lush pines as a summer location doubles as a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
How these predictable parts coalesce into an entertaining watch hinges on the actors' work and an acceptance of comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – those people who browse regularly for dog videos. It provides a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the canine star, and even if it causes some stilted moments between animal action and human reaction, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Human Element
The same praise cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The tone wavers between serious study, zany antics, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, not quite landing a single genre. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the silliness and cringe inherent in the unusual premise. He brings a endearing lack of ego that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. The character comes across as a little too aloof, particularly when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, the canine performer is convincing at flopping and whining – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to give weight to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, since the title character is easily the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their original breakup could have been more nuanced with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling every expected note. Crafting a story with this canine conflict is not terrible – even if it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video this December.
