This is a common warning in certain circles that sharing custody a dog after a breakup is a terrible idea. Most will argue such situations impede individuals from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for all parties. Seemingly, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to experience sadness.
While respecting the inner life of dogs – countless people speak of their remarkable empathy. To witness a prime example in pet despair, one need only look recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog played by the canine actor Gus, would struggle coping with divided living arrangements. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on this conflict holds water seems rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. It functions as a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity remains surface-level. Its storyline proves to be uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will presumably realize the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic has the quality of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – think obvious snow effects piled on lush pines as North Carolina substitutes for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
How these predictable parts coalesce into a pleasant experience hinges on the execution and one's taste for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who browse regularly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a series of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the canine star, and though it results in some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie does offer dog beach fun, dog depression, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness is not earned for the romantic plot. The tone wavers between serious study, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, not quite landing any one mode. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward required by the dog resort scenario. He brings a charming humility that supplies much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna can feel a little too aloof, especially when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog succeeds in acting depressed – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a very good boy.)
The story strives to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, considering the dog is undoubtedly the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for the split might seem more nuanced with more screen time and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling all its marks. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting has potential – even if I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video this December.
