This is a common warning for numerous people that jointly caring for a dog after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such situations prevent individuals from healing, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and are a nuisance across the board. Seemingly, as a development suited to a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to become depressed.
Without minimizing the inner life of dogs – pet parents observe their deep emotional capacity. If you need standout portrayal in canine melancholy, simply recall another performance. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adjusting to split households. Whether this premise a full holiday film on such a setup is sustainable remains rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by its screenwriters and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than what it is. It functions as a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions remains surface-level. The plot unfolds as straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will surely rediscover the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – including familiar faces – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by flurries surrounding lush pines as a summer location stands in for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these predictable parts come together into something enjoyable hinges on the actors' work and an acceptance of comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who browse regularly for pet content. Audiences receive a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is Merv himself, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, dog depression, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success is not earned for the human side of the story. Its style vacillates between emotional depth, broad humor, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, not quite landing a consistent feel. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is fully game the humiliating and funny required by the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a charming humility that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. The character comes across as a little too aloof, especially when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Merv himself manages looking despondent – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a very good boy.)
Merv tries to give weight to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, since the dog is by far the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their original breakup would feel more nuanced with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting all its marks. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – but I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
