It is a common warning in certain circles that jointly caring for a canine companion following a split is ill-advised. Most will argue such arrangements hinder former couples from healing, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for all parties. Apparently, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to become depressed.
While respecting the mental health of our pets – pet parents attest to their remarkable empathy. For a prime example in pet despair, consider a past film. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adapting to divided living arrangements. If this concept an entire Christmas romance around this situation holds water remains rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than a light film. This is a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions remains surface-level. Its storyline unfolds as straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will surely realize the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – think fake snow surrounding green trees as North Carolina doubles as the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
If these familiar elements merge into a pleasant experience depends on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who scroll endlessly for dog videos. The film delivers a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is Merv himself, and even if it causes some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie does offer walking sequences, dog depression, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The tone vacillates between relationship drama, broad humor, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, not quite landing any one mode. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe inherent in the bizarre setting. He brings a endearing lack of ego that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. The character seems a touch too detached, especially when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog succeeds in flopping and whining – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to give weight to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, considering the dog is easily the best part of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The cause for the split might seem more nuanced with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting all its marks. Making a film with this canine conflict has potential – but it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Prime Video this December.
