It is a widely held belief for numerous people that co-parenting a dog after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such arrangements prevent individuals from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for all parties. As it turns out, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to experience sadness.
While respecting the inner life of animals – many owners speak of their profound sensitivity. If you need prime example in canine melancholy, one need only look recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to split households. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on such a setup works effectively seems debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by director Swale, never aspires to be more profound than its premise. It functions as a holiday release from a corporate studio – the complexity are modest. The narrative is destined to be straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – as seen in fake snow piled on lush pines as a warm climate substitutes for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these standard ingredients come together into an entertaining watch depends on the execution and one's taste for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who browse regularly for pet content. Audiences receive a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the canine star, and even if it causes some awkward editing between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie does offer walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, in the end, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The film's approach wavers between relationship drama, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and physical comedy, failing to master a single genre. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is fully game the absurd and awkward required by the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. The character comes across as a touch too detached, especially when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself manages acting depressed – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to give weight to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, given that Merv is undoubtedly the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their separation might seem more nuanced with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – even if it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video this December.
