It is a common warning in certain circles that jointly caring for a canine companion after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such arrangements prevent individuals from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and become annoying for all parties. Apparently, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to feel down.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of our pets – countless people observe their deep emotional capacity. If you need masterclass in dog sorrow, consider a past film. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle coping with divided living arrangements. If this concept a full holiday film on such a setup holds water is debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than its premise. We have here a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the ambitions remains surface-level. Its storyline is destined to be simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Side characters – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Visually carries the feel of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by fake snow clinging to lush pines as a summer location substitutes for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
If these predictable parts merge into an entertaining watch rests upon the execution and one's taste for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who seek out for dog videos. It provides a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is Merv himself, and though it results in some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success is not earned for the romantic plot. Its style shifts uneasily between emotional depth, broad humor, formulaic romance, and silly gags, not quite landing a single genre. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward required by the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna seems a little too aloof, especially when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog succeeds in flopping and whining – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to add substance to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, given that the dog is easily the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The cause for their original breakup would feel more grounded and mature with less exposition and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting all its marks. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – even if it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
