This is a common warning among many that co-parenting a canine companion after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such situations impede former couples from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and become annoying across the board. Apparently, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the canine in question to feel down.
While respecting the mental health of animals – many owners attest to their deep emotional capacity. If you need prime example in canine melancholy, one need only look recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adjusting to split households. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on such a setup works effectively is rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by director Swale, never aspires to be more profound than a light film. It functions as a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the depth is limited. Its storyline unfolds as uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will surely realize the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – played by a group of comedic actors – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – as seen in obvious snow effects clinging to lush pines as North Carolina doubles as a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
How these predictable parts merge into a pleasant experience rests upon the execution and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who browse regularly for dog videos. The film delivers a series of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is Merv himself, and while this leads to some awkward editing between animal action and human reaction, the movie delivers on walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise is not earned for the human side of the story. Its style vacillates between relationship drama, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, failing to master any one mode. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny required by the unusual premise. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal seems a little too aloof, especially when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, the canine performer manages flopping and whining – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The story strives to give weight to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, given that Merv is easily the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The cause for their original breakup could have been more nuanced with less exposition and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling every expected note. Making a film with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – but it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
