This is a widely held belief among many that sharing custody a pet after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such arrangements prevent individuals from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Apparently, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to feel down.
While respecting the mental health of dogs – pet parents speak of their remarkable empathy. If you need masterclass in canine melancholy, simply recall a past film. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time coping with divided living arrangements. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance around this situation is sustainable is debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than its premise. This is a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions are modest. The plot unfolds as simple and direct: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – exemplified by obvious snow effects surrounding lush pines as North Carolina substitutes for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
If these familiar elements come together into an entertaining watch hinges on the execution and one's taste for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who seek out for cute animal clips. It provides a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the dog, and though it results in some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, pet moping, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success cannot be applied for the romantic plot. Its style vacillates between relationship drama, broad humor, formulaic romance, and silly gags, failing to master a consistent feel. This is not Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny required by the bizarre setting. He brings a endearing lack of ego that supplies much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. The character seems a little too aloof, particularly when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, the canine performer is convincing at flopping and whining – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a very good boy.)
The story strives to give weight to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, since the title character is undoubtedly the best part of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their original breakup might seem more grounded and mature with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting all its marks. Crafting a story with this canine conflict is not terrible – but it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
