It is a common warning in certain circles that jointly caring for a dog after a breakup is a terrible idea. Most will argue such arrangements impede former couples from finding closure, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and become annoying across the board. As it turns out, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to become depressed.
While respecting the inner life of animals – countless people speak of their profound sensitivity. To witness a prime example in pet despair, one need only look recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog played by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time coping with life in two homes. Whether this premise a full holiday film around this situation works effectively seems debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and under the guidance of director Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than its premise. This is a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity are modest. Its storyline proves to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – played by a group of comedic actors – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Visually is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – as seen in flurries clinging to green trees as a summer location doubles as the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
How these standard ingredients merge into a pleasant experience rests upon the execution and one's taste for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – those people who scroll endlessly for dog videos. Audiences receive a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is Merv himself, and while this leads to some awkward editing between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, dog depression, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise cannot be applied for the romantic plot. Its style wavers between serious study, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, not quite landing any one mode. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward inherent in the unusual premise. He brings a charming humility that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna can feel a little too aloof, especially when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Merv himself is convincing at looking despondent – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, considering the dog is easily the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their separation could have been more nuanced with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Making a film about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – even if I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
