It is a widely held belief among many that co-parenting a dog after a breakup is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such setups hinder individuals from finding closure, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and are a nuisance across the board. Apparently, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to become depressed.
Not to downplay the mental health of animals – countless people speak of their profound sensitivity. To witness a prime example in canine melancholy, simply recall recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix played by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on this conflict holds water remains a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by the writing duo and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. This is a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the ambitions are modest. The narrative proves to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Side characters – played by a group of comedic actors – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually is reminiscent of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – think obvious snow effects clinging to lush pines as North Carolina stands in for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
How these familiar elements coalesce into a pleasant experience depends on the actors' work and one's taste for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who browse regularly for dog videos. Audiences receive a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the dog, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach vacillates between serious study, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, not quite landing any one mode. This is not Cox's performance, who is fully game the silliness and cringe inherent in the bizarre setting. His performance contains a charming humility that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. The character seems a bit too dry, notably when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Merv himself is convincing at acting depressed – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, given that the dog is easily the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for the split would feel more adult and realistic with less exposition and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, hitting every expected note. Making a film with this canine conflict has potential – even if it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video this December.
