This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that jointly caring for a canine companion after a breakup is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such setups prevent former couples from healing, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and become annoying for all parties. As it turns out, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to feel down.
Without minimizing the mental health of animals – pet parents speak of their profound sensitivity. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, consider a past film. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adjusting to divided living arrangements. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on such a setup works effectively seems rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than a light film. We have here a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the depth is limited. The plot proves to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – played by familiar faces – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look has the quality of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – as seen in flurries piled on lush pines as North Carolina substitutes for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these familiar elements come together into something enjoyable rests upon the execution and one's taste for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who browse regularly for cute animal clips. It provides a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the dog, and while this leads to some stilted moments between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, pet moping, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The tone vacillates between emotional depth, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, failing to master a consistent feel. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the silliness and cringe required by the bizarre setting. He brings a endearing lack of ego that offers much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. The character can feel a touch too detached, especially when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, the canine performer manages flopping and whining – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to add substance to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, considering the dog is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their original breakup would feel more adult and realistic with less exposition and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – but it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
