This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that co-parenting a pet after a breakup is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such setups prevent former couples from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and become annoying for all parties. As it turns out, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of animals – pet parents attest to their remarkable empathy. If you need prime example in pet despair, one need only look recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adapting to split households. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on this conflict holds water is debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by director Swale, never aspires to be anything more than a light film. It functions as a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the complexity are modest. Its storyline is destined to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will surely rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic has the quality of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by fake snow piled on verdant foliage as a summer location doubles as the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these standard ingredients merge into an entertaining watch hinges on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – individuals who seek out for dog videos. The film delivers a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the dog, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, finally, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The tone shifts uneasily between relationship drama, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, failing to master a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny inherent in the bizarre setting. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that supplies much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal can feel a touch too detached, notably when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog is convincing at looking despondent – he may not be 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 regrettable choice, considering the dog is easily the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their separation might seem more adult and realistic with more screen time and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie with this canine conflict has potential – but I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video on December 10th.
