It is a common warning among many that co-parenting a canine companion after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such setups prevent individuals from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and become annoying for everyone involved. Seemingly, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the inner life of dogs – pet parents attest to their profound sensitivity. If you need masterclass in pet despair, simply recall recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type played by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time coping with divided living arrangements. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on such a setup works effectively seems rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by the writing duo and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than its premise. This is a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the complexity are modest. Its storyline unfolds as uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic has the quality of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – think fake snow clinging to lush pines as North Carolina stands in for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
If these predictable parts come together into something enjoyable depends on the actors' work and an acceptance of comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who seek out for dog videos. Audiences receive a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the dog, and even if it causes some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, in the end, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The tone shifts uneasily between emotional depth, broad humor, predictable love story, and silly gags, failing to master any one mode. This is not Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny required by the dog resort scenario. He brings a likable self-deprecation that provides much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. The character comes across as a little too aloof, notably when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Merv himself succeeds in flopping and whining – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a very good boy.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, considering Merv is undoubtedly the best part of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their original breakup would feel more adult and realistic with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise has potential – though I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video this December.
