It is a widely held belief for numerous people that jointly caring for a pet post-separation is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such arrangements hinder individuals from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for all parties. Apparently, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to become depressed.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of dogs – pet parents speak of their profound sensitivity. For a masterclass in pet despair, consider a past film. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by Gus the Dog, would struggle adjusting to life in two homes. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on such a setup is sustainable is a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, written by the writing duo and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than a light film. We have here a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity remains surface-level. The narrative proves to be straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – exemplified by fake snow piled on lush pines as North Carolina doubles as the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
If these familiar elements come together into a pleasant experience hinges on the execution and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – the kind who seek out for dog videos. The film delivers a plethora of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the canine star, and while this leads to some awkward editing between animal action and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
This level of success does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The tone shifts uneasily between relationship drama, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and physical comedy, not quite landing a single genre. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the humiliating and funny required by the unusual premise. He brings a endearing lack of ego that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. The character comes across as a touch too detached, notably when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog manages looking despondent – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to add substance to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, since the dog is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for the split would feel more adult and realistic with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting every expected note. Creating a movie with this canine conflict is not terrible – even if it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
