It is a widely held belief among many that jointly caring for a pet after a breakup is a terrible idea. Most will argue such situations prevent former couples from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and become annoying for all parties. Apparently, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of dogs – countless people attest to their deep emotional capacity. For a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, consider a past film. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adapting to split households. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on such a setup is sustainable remains rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and helmed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than what it is. It functions as a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the ambitions remains surface-level. The narrative proves to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – including a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Visually carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – exemplified by flurries surrounding verdant foliage as a warm climate substitutes for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
If these predictable parts come together into an entertaining watch depends on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a series of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the canine star, and while this leads to some stilted moments between animal action and human reaction, the movie delivers on walking sequences, dog depression, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success does not extend for the romantic plot. The film's approach vacillates between serious study, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, failing to master a single genre. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is fully game the humiliating and funny demanded of the dog resort scenario. He brings a charming humility that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. The character seems a little too aloof, particularly when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, the canine performer manages looking despondent – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The film attempts to add substance to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, since Merv is by far the best part of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for the split might seem more adult and realistic with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling every expected note. Making a film on this shared-custody premise has potential – but it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video starting December 10.
