This is a widely held belief among many that jointly caring for a pet following a split is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such setups prevent ex-partners from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and become annoying for all parties. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of dogs – many owners observe their remarkable empathy. To witness a masterclass in canine melancholy, simply recall recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adapting to split households. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on such a setup is sustainable is rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and directed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than what it is. We have here a holiday release from a corporate studio – the complexity are modest. The plot unfolds as uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will presumably realize the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – featuring a group of comedic actors – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – think fake snow piled on verdant foliage as a warm climate stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these familiar elements coalesce into something enjoyable hinges on the actors' work and one's taste for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – the kind who scroll endlessly for pet content. It provides a wealth of adorable dog montages. The central draw is Merv himself, and though it results in some clunky cuts between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
This level of success cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach shifts uneasily between serious study, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, not quite landing a consistent feel. This is not Cox's performance, who is fully game the silliness and cringe required by the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a charming humility that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal can feel a little too aloof, especially when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, the canine performer is convincing at acting depressed – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a very good boy.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, considering the title character is undoubtedly the best part of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst 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, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting is not terrible – but it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video this December.
