It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that jointly caring for a canine companion after a breakup is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such setups impede former couples from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. Seemingly, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to feel down.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of animals – countless people attest to their remarkable empathy. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, one need only look recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a full holiday film around this situation holds water seems debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than its premise. We have here a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the depth is limited. Its storyline is destined to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – featuring familiar faces – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – think obvious snow effects surrounding lush pines as a summer location stands in for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these familiar elements coalesce into something enjoyable rests upon the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – those people who seek out for pet content. It provides a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the dog, and while this leads to some stilted moments between animal action and human reaction, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, finally, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness does not extend for the human side of the story. Its style vacillates between serious study, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a consistent feel. This is not Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe required by the unusual premise. He brings a endearing lack of ego that provides much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal seems a bit too dry, particularly when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Merv himself manages looking despondent – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to give weight to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, since Merv is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for the split could have been more nuanced with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting every expected note. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting is not terrible – even if it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video this December.
