It is a widely held belief among many that jointly caring for a pet after a breakup is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such setups hinder former couples from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. As it turns out, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the mental health of our pets – pet parents observe their remarkable empathy. To witness a masterclass in pet despair, consider another performance. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would struggle coping with divided living arrangements. If this concept a full holiday film on such a setup is sustainable seems rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than a light film. It functions as a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity remains surface-level. Its storyline proves to be uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – featuring a group of comedic actors – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look has the quality of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by flurries clinging to lush pines as a summer location stands in for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
If these predictable parts merge into something enjoyable depends on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who scroll endlessly for dog videos. The film delivers a series of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the dog, and though it results in some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness does not extend for the romantic plot. The film's approach wavers between emotional depth, broad humor, formulaic romance, and silly gags, not quite landing any one mode. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is fully game the absurd and awkward demanded of the dog resort scenario. He brings a endearing lack of ego that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal seems a little too aloof, particularly when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, the canine performer manages acting depressed – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a very good boy.)
The film attempts to give weight to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, considering the title character is easily the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for the split might seem more nuanced with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – even if it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Prime Video starting December 10.
