It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that jointly caring for a dog after a breakup is a terrible idea. Most will argue such arrangements impede former couples from healing, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for all parties. Seemingly, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes our furry friends to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the mental health of animals – pet parents attest to their deep emotional capacity. For a prime example in canine melancholy, consider another performance. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adjusting to divided living arrangements. If this concept a full holiday film around this situation holds water seems a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by director Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than what it is. It functions as a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the ambitions is limited. The narrative proves to be straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will presumably realize the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – played by familiar faces – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic has the quality of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – as seen in obvious snow effects clinging to lush pines as North Carolina doubles as a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
How these familiar elements coalesce into something enjoyable hinges on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. It provides a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is Merv himself, and even if it causes some awkward editing between animal action and people's faces, the movie delivers on canine party antics, dog depression, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
This level of success does not extend for the romantic plot. The tone vacillates between emotional depth, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, never fully committing to a consistent feel. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the absurd and awkward demanded of the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that offers much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna comes across as a bit too dry, particularly when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, the canine performer is convincing at acting depressed – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, considering the dog is easily the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for the split might seem more nuanced with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting every expected note. Making a film on this shared-custody premise has potential – though I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
