It is a widely held belief in certain circles that jointly caring for a canine companion after a breakup is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such situations hinder former couples from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. As it turns out, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to become depressed.
Not to downplay the inner life of our pets – countless people observe their profound sensitivity. If you need prime example in canine melancholy, one need only look another performance. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a full holiday film on such a setup works effectively remains debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than its premise. This is a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity is limited. The plot is destined to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will presumably realize the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – played by familiar faces – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – as seen in obvious snow effects surrounding verdant foliage as North Carolina substitutes for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
How these predictable parts coalesce into an entertaining watch depends on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who browse regularly for dog videos. The film delivers a series of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the dog, and though it results in some awkward editing between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie does offer dog beach fun, pet moping, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
This level of success does not extend for the human side of the story. The tone shifts uneasily between relationship drama, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a consistent feel. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is fully game the humiliating and funny required by the unusual premise. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that offers much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal seems a touch too detached, especially when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, the canine performer manages looking despondent – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to provide depth to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, considering the dog is easily the cutest element of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their original breakup might seem more nuanced with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, meeting all its marks. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – but I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
