It is a widely held belief among many that jointly caring for a canine companion after a breakup is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such arrangements prevent ex-partners from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for all parties. Seemingly, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to become depressed.
While respecting the inner life of our pets – many owners speak of their remarkable empathy. To witness a masterclass in canine melancholy, one need only look recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time coping with life in two homes. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance around this situation holds water remains rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, written by its screenwriters and under the guidance of director Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than its premise. This is a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the depth are modest. The narrative is destined to be uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Side characters – featuring a group of comedic actors – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually has the quality of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – exemplified by fake snow clinging to verdant foliage as a summer location substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these familiar elements come together into a pleasant experience hinges on the strength of the performances and one's taste for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who browse regularly for cute animal clips. It provides a plethora of adorable dog montages. The central draw is Merv himself, and even if it causes some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie does offer canine party antics, pet moping, and, finally, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise does not extend for the romantic plot. Its style vacillates between serious study, broad humor, formulaic romance, and silly gags, not quite landing any one mode. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe demanded of the dog resort scenario. He brings a charming humility that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. The character seems a touch too detached, particularly when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Merv himself succeeds in acting depressed – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a very good boy.)
The story strives to give weight to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, considering the dog is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their separation would feel more adult and realistic with less exposition and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, meeting every expected note. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – but I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video starting December 10.
