This is a widely held belief among many that jointly caring for a canine companion after a breakup is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such arrangements impede former couples from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and become annoying across the board. As it turns out, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Without minimizing the inner life of animals – countless people observe their remarkable empathy. If you need prime example in pet despair, simply recall recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by Gus the Dog, would struggle coping with divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a full holiday film around this situation is sustainable is debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than what it is. We have here a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the depth are modest. Its storyline unfolds as uncomplicated: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – played by a group of comedic actors – serve as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – as seen in obvious snow effects piled on lush pines as North Carolina doubles as a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
How these standard ingredients coalesce into something enjoyable hinges on the execution and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who seek out for dog videos. The film delivers a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the canine star, and while this leads to some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
The same praise does not extend for the romantic plot. Its style shifts uneasily between emotional depth, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a consistent feel. This is not Cox's performance, who is fully game the silliness and cringe demanded of the bizarre setting. He brings a likable self-deprecation that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna can feel a little too aloof, particularly when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Merv himself is convincing at looking despondent – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, given that the dog is by far the best part of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their original breakup would feel more nuanced with less exposition and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, meeting all its marks. Making a film about dog co-parenting is not terrible – but it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
