It is a widely held belief for numerous people that jointly caring for a dog after a breakup is ill-advised. Most will argue such arrangements prevent former couples from finding closure, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and become annoying across the board. As it turns out, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to feel down.
Without minimizing the mental health of dogs – many owners attest to their deep emotional capacity. To witness a masterclass in pet despair, one need only look a past film. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adapting to split households. If this concept a full holiday film around this situation holds water is rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than what it is. This is a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions are modest. The plot unfolds as uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – featuring familiar faces – serve as the usual assortment of types. The film's look has the quality of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – as seen in flurries clinging to green trees as a warm climate substitutes for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
How these predictable parts coalesce into an entertaining watch depends on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – individuals who browse regularly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a series of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the dog, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie does offer dog beach fun, dog depression, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. Its style shifts uneasily between emotional depth, zany antics, predictable love story, and silly gags, failing to master a consistent feel. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward inherent in the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a charming humility that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her Anna seems a touch too detached, notably when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog succeeds in looking despondent – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, considering Merv is by far the best part of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The cause for their separation could have been more nuanced with less exposition and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting every expected note. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting has potential – but it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video this December.
