It is a widely held belief in certain circles that co-parenting a pet after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such situations prevent ex-partners from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for all parties. Apparently, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of dogs – many owners speak of their remarkable empathy. To witness a prime example in pet despair, consider another performance. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would struggle coping with life in two homes. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on this conflict works effectively remains a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and helmed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than a light film. This is a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the ambitions are modest. The plot unfolds as uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – including familiar faces – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic has the quality of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – as seen in obvious snow effects piled on verdant foliage as a warm climate substitutes for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
How these predictable parts merge into an entertaining watch hinges on the execution and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a series of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is Merv himself, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, pet moping, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Human Element
This level of success is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The tone vacillates between emotional depth, broad humor, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, failing to master a consistent feel. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is fully game the silliness and cringe required by the bizarre setting. His performance contains a charming humility that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. The character can feel a touch too detached, especially when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog is convincing at flopping and whining – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to add substance to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, since Merv is by far the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The cause for their original breakup might seem more nuanced with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film with this canine conflict has potential – even if I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
