This 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 setups impede ex-partners from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance across the board. As it turns out, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to feel down.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of our pets – pet parents speak of their deep emotional capacity. If you need standout portrayal in canine melancholy, consider recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult coping with split households. The idea of basing a full holiday film on such a setup works effectively remains rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, the work of the writing duo and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. We have here a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the ambitions remains surface-level. The plot is destined to be simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will surely realize the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – think flurries clinging to green trees as a summer location substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
If these predictable parts come together into an entertaining watch hinges on the actors' work and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – the kind who seek out for cute animal clips. It provides a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the dog, and even if it causes some awkward editing between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, dog depression, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
This level of success is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The tone vacillates between emotional depth, zany antics, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, failing to master a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny demanded of the bizarre setting. He brings a likable self-deprecation that offers much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. The character seems a touch too detached, notably when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, the canine performer is convincing at flopping and whining – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, since Merv is easily the cutest element of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their separation could have been more nuanced with more screen time and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, hitting every expected note. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting is not terrible – even if it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
