It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that jointly caring for a dog after a breakup is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such arrangements hinder former couples from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and become annoying across the board. Apparently, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of dogs – pet parents attest to their remarkable empathy. If you need masterclass in pet despair, one need only look recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by Gus the Dog, would struggle adapting to life in two homes. Whether this premise a full holiday film on such a setup works effectively is a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by the writing duo and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than its premise. We have here a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the ambitions are modest. The plot proves to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Side characters – including familiar faces – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – think flurries surrounding green trees as North Carolina doubles as a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
If these predictable parts merge into something enjoyable hinges on the actors' work and one's taste for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the dog, and while this leads to some stilted moments between animal action and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, pet moping, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach vacillates between emotional depth, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and silly gags, never fully committing to a consistent feel. This is not Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe required by the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna seems a little too aloof, notably when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Merv himself is convincing at acting depressed – not quite 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 scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, since the title character is by far the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The cause for the split would feel more nuanced with less exposition and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – though I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
