This is a common warning among many that co-parenting a pet after a breakup is ill-advised. Most will argue such setups prevent former couples from moving forward, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and are a nuisance across the board. Apparently, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to feel down.
While respecting the mental health of dogs – pet parents speak of their deep emotional capacity. If you need prime example in canine melancholy, consider another performance. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to split households. If this concept a feature-length romcom around this situation holds water seems debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by its screenwriters and directed by director Swale, never aspires to be more profound than a light film. This is a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the ambitions is limited. Its storyline unfolds as straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – featuring familiar faces – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look carries the feel of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – as seen in flurries clinging to lush pines as a warm climate substitutes for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these standard ingredients coalesce into a pleasant experience hinges on the actors' work and one's taste for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – individuals who browse regularly for dog videos. The film delivers a series of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and even if it causes some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie does offer dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The tone wavers between serious study, broad humor, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, failing to master a single genre. This is not Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward required by the unusual premise. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal comes across as a touch too detached, notably when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, the canine performer succeeds in looking despondent – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a very good boy.)
The story strives to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, since Merv is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their separation would feel more adult and realistic with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting all its marks. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – though it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
