It is a widely held belief for numerous people that jointly caring for a dog following a split is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such setups hinder individuals from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Apparently, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
While respecting the mental health of dogs – pet parents attest to their deep emotional capacity. For a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, consider recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to split households. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on such a setup holds water remains debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, written by the writing duo and helmed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than what it is. This is a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions is limited. The narrative proves to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Side characters – featuring familiar faces – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. The film's look is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – think obvious snow effects piled on green trees as a summer location doubles as the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these standard ingredients merge into an entertaining watch hinges on the execution and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who scroll endlessly for dog videos. Audiences receive a series of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the canine star, and while this leads to some stilted moments between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie does offer dog beach fun, pet moping, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
This level of success is not earned for the human side of the story. The film's approach wavers between serious study, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and physical comedy, not quite landing a single genre. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward inherent in the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. The character seems a little too aloof, notably when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog succeeds in looking despondent – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The film attempts to add substance to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, since the title character is easily the best part of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their original breakup would feel more adult and realistic with more screen time and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling all its marks. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting has potential – though it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
