This is a common warning among many that jointly caring for a dog following a split is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such setups impede ex-partners from moving forward, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for all parties. Seemingly, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of animals – many owners observe their profound sensitivity. If you need prime example in canine melancholy, simply recall another performance. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adapting to split households. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on such a setup is sustainable is debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of the writing duo and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than a light film. This is a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the complexity is limited. The narrative is destined to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – exemplified by flurries surrounding verdant foliage as a warm climate stands in for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
How these predictable parts merge into something enjoyable hinges on the actors' work and one's taste for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – the kind who scroll endlessly for pet content. Audiences receive a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the canine star, and even if it causes some stilted moments between animal action and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, pet moping, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The tone wavers between serious study, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and physical comedy, never fully committing to any one mode. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward inherent in the dog resort scenario. He brings a charming humility that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna can feel a bit too dry, particularly when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, the canine performer manages flopping and whining – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to add substance to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, considering the title character is by far the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their original breakup might seem more adult and realistic with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting every expected note. Crafting a story with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – though it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
