It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that jointly caring for a pet after a breakup is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such arrangements impede individuals from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Seemingly, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to feel down.
While respecting the mental health of animals – countless people attest to their profound sensitivity. If you need prime example in pet despair, simply recall another performance. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult coping with divided living arrangements. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on this conflict works effectively is debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, written by its screenwriters and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than a light film. This is a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth remains surface-level. The plot unfolds as simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as the usual assortment of types. The film's look has the quality of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by fake snow surrounding lush pines as North Carolina stands in for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
How these familiar elements coalesce into something enjoyable depends on the actors' work and one's taste for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who scroll endlessly for pet content. The film delivers a series of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the canine star, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie delivers on canine party antics, dog depression, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The film's approach wavers between relationship drama, zany antics, formulaic romance, and silly gags, never fully committing to a single genre. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny required by the unusual premise. He brings a likable self-deprecation that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. The character can feel a touch too detached, notably when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Gus the Dog manages acting depressed – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a very good boy.)
The film attempts to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, since Merv is by far the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their separation could have been more adult and realistic with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, meeting every expected note. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – even if it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Prime Video on December 10th.
