This is a common warning among many that jointly caring for a dog after a breakup is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such arrangements hinder individuals from healing, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and become annoying for everyone involved. As it turns out, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to experience sadness.
While respecting the inner life of dogs – many owners observe their remarkable empathy. To witness a masterclass in canine melancholy, simply recall a past film. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to split households. The idea of basing a full holiday film on this conflict is sustainable is rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than what it is. It functions as a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions are modest. Its storyline is destined to be straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – featuring familiar faces – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually carries the feel of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – exemplified by flurries surrounding green trees as a warm climate stands in for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these familiar elements come together into an entertaining watch depends on the execution and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – individuals who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and though it results in some awkward editing between animal action and human reaction, the movie does offer dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness is not earned for the human side of the story. Its style wavers between relationship drama, broad humor, predictable love story, and silly gags, failing to master any one mode. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward inherent in the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that offers much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. The character comes across as a bit too dry, especially when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, the canine performer succeeds in acting depressed – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to give weight to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, given that Merv is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their original breakup might seem more grounded and mature with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling every expected note. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – though it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video on December 10th.
