It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that jointly caring for a canine companion after a breakup is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such setups impede individuals from healing, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. As it turns out, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to feel down.
Without minimizing the mental health of animals – pet parents observe their deep emotional capacity. If you need masterclass in canine melancholy, simply recall a past film. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adjusting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a full holiday film on such a setup holds water is rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, written by the writing duo and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than a light film. This is a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity remains surface-level. Its storyline proves to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – played by a group of comedic actors – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by obvious snow effects surrounding lush pines as a summer location stands in for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these predictable parts coalesce into something enjoyable hinges on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who browse regularly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the dog, and while this leads to some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Human Element
This level of success cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The tone vacillates between relationship drama, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and silly gags, not quite landing a single genre. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward required by the bizarre setting. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that offers much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal seems a bit too dry, notably when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, the canine performer succeeds in flopping and whining – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The film attempts to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, given that the dog is by far the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their separation would feel more adult and realistic with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting all its marks. Crafting a story with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – though it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Prime Video starting December 10.
