This is a common warning among many that jointly caring for a pet after a breakup is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such setups impede ex-partners from moving forward, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for all parties. As it turns out, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Not to downplay the inner life of animals – pet parents observe their remarkable empathy. To witness a masterclass in dog sorrow, one need only look another performance. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to life in two homes. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on this conflict is sustainable seems debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by the writing duo and helmed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than what it is. This is a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions remains surface-level. Its storyline unfolds as uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – played by a group of comedic actors – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – think flurries surrounding verdant foliage as a summer location substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
How these standard ingredients merge into an entertaining watch depends on the execution and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who seek out for pet content. It provides a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the dog, and though it results in some stilted moments between animal action and people's faces, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, dog depression, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. Its style vacillates between relationship drama, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a single genre. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny demanded of the bizarre setting. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal comes across as a touch too detached, especially when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Gus the Dog succeeds in acting depressed – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to add substance to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, considering Merv is undoubtedly the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The reason for the split could have been more adult and realistic with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story with this canine conflict has potential – even if I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform this December.
