It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that co-parenting a canine companion after a breakup is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such situations impede former couples from moving forward, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for all parties. Apparently, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to feel down.
While respecting the mental health of our pets – many owners attest to their profound sensitivity. To witness a masterclass in dog sorrow, consider another performance. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adjusting to split households. The idea of basing a full holiday film on this conflict works effectively seems a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by director Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than what it is. It functions as a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the depth remains surface-level. The narrative is destined to be simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – featuring familiar faces – serve as the usual assortment of types. The film's look has the quality of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – as seen in obvious snow effects piled on verdant foliage as North Carolina doubles as the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
How these standard ingredients coalesce into something enjoyable rests upon the execution and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who seek out for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the dog, and while this leads to some stilted moments between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
The same praise does not extend for the human side of the story. The tone shifts uneasily between relationship drama, zany antics, predictable love story, and physical comedy, never fully committing to any one mode. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the silliness and cringe demanded of the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna can feel a bit too dry, especially when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, the canine performer succeeds in flopping and whining – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to provide depth to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, considering Merv is undoubtedly the best part of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their separation would feel more grounded and mature with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting all its marks. Making a film with this canine conflict is not terrible – though it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video this December.
