It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that co-parenting a pet after a breakup is ill-advised. Most will argue such setups prevent ex-partners from finding closure, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and prove frustrating across the board. Apparently, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to feel down.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of our pets – many owners speak of their profound sensitivity. To witness a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, consider another performance. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by Gus the Dog, would struggle adapting to life in two homes. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance around this situation holds water remains rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and under the guidance of director Swale, never aspires to be more profound than a light film. We have here a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the depth remains surface-level. The plot unfolds as uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – featuring familiar faces – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – as seen in flurries clinging to lush pines as North Carolina doubles as the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
How these predictable parts come together into something enjoyable rests upon the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who browse regularly for pet content. The film delivers a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the dog, and while this leads to some awkward editing between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie does offer walking sequences, dog depression, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness is not earned for the human side of the story. The tone wavers between serious study, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a single genre. This is not Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe demanded of the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that supplies much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal seems a touch too detached, especially when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Gus the Dog is convincing at flopping and whining – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The film attempts to give weight to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, given that the title character is by far the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The cause for their separation would feel more grounded and mature with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling every expected note. Crafting a story with this canine conflict is not terrible – though I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
