This is a common warning in certain circles that co-parenting a dog after a breakup is a terrible idea. Most will argue such setups impede ex-partners from finding closure, 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 canine in question to feel down.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of our pets – many owners observe their deep emotional capacity. For a prime example in dog sorrow, simply recall another performance. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adapting to life in two homes. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance around this situation is sustainable remains a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, written by the writing duo and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than what it is. This is a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the complexity is limited. Its storyline is destined to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will surely realize the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – played by familiar faces – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – as seen in obvious snow effects piled on green trees as a warm climate substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
How these standard ingredients coalesce into a pleasant experience depends on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who seek out for dog videos. Audiences receive a wealth of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the canine star, and while this leads to some stilted moments between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on canine party antics, pet moping, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise is not earned for the romantic plot. The film's approach wavers between emotional depth, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, failing to master any one mode. This is not Charlie Cox, who is fully game the absurd and awkward required by the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a charming humility that provides much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal seems a touch too detached, notably when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, the canine performer succeeds in acting depressed – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains an excellent dog.)
The story strives to add substance to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, considering the dog is easily the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their separation might seem more nuanced with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling every expected note. Creating a movie with this canine conflict is not terrible – but I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Prime Video starting December 10.
