It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that co-parenting a canine companion after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such situations prevent individuals from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. As it turns out, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to become depressed.
While respecting the mental health of our pets – countless people observe their deep emotional capacity. If you need masterclass in pet despair, simply recall recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adapting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance around this situation holds water remains a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by the writing duo and directed by director Swale, never aspires to be deeper than a light film. We have here a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity is limited. Its storyline unfolds as uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – including familiar faces – serve as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic has the quality of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – exemplified by flurries surrounding green trees as a warm climate doubles as a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
If these predictable parts coalesce into an entertaining watch hinges on the execution and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who seek out for pet content. Audiences receive a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the canine star, and even if it causes some awkward editing between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness does not extend for the romantic plot. Its style vacillates between serious study, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, failing to master any one mode. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the silliness and cringe inherent in the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that provides much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal can feel a little too aloof, notably when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Merv himself manages acting depressed – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains an excellent dog.)
The story strives to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, considering the dog is by far the best part of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The catalyst for the split could have been more adult and realistic with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, hitting all its marks. Making a film with this canine conflict is not terrible – even if it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
