This is a widely held belief among many that co-parenting a canine companion after a breakup is a terrible idea. Most will argue such setups hinder individuals from moving forward, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for all parties. As it turns out, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to become depressed.
While respecting the inner life of dogs – countless people attest to their deep emotional capacity. For a prime example in pet despair, one need only look a past film. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to split households. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance around this situation is sustainable is rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than a light film. This is a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the depth remains surface-level. Its storyline unfolds as uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – featuring a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – think flurries piled on green trees as North Carolina substitutes for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these predictable parts come together into a pleasant experience rests upon the execution and one's taste for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who browse regularly for dog videos. It provides a plethora of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the dog, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between animal action and people's faces, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, dog depression, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Human Element
The same praise cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. Its style vacillates between emotional depth, zany antics, predictable love story, and physical comedy, failing to master any one mode. This is not Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny inherent in the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a charming humility that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna comes across as a bit too dry, notably when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Merv himself succeeds in flopping and whining – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The story strives to add substance to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, given that Merv is easily the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The reason for the split might seem more grounded and mature with more screen time and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting every expected note. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting is not terrible – but it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
