It is a common warning in certain circles that jointly caring for a canine companion after a breakup is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such situations impede ex-partners from healing, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance across the board. Apparently, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to feel down.
Not to downplay the inner life of our pets – countless people attest to their remarkable empathy. If you need masterclass in dog sorrow, simply recall a past film. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by Gus the Dog, would struggle coping with divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a full holiday film around this situation is sustainable remains rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and helmed by director Swale, never aspires to be anything more than a light film. This is a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity is limited. The plot unfolds as simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – including familiar faces – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – exemplified by flurries piled on verdant foliage as North Carolina substitutes for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
If these familiar elements coalesce into something enjoyable depends on the actors' work and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who browse regularly for dog videos. The film delivers a series of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the canine star, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The tone wavers between relationship drama, broad humor, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, never fully committing to any one mode. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is fully game the absurd and awkward demanded of the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that provides much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal comes across as a touch too detached, particularly when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself is convincing at looking despondent – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to add substance to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, given that the dog is easily the cutest element of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their separation could have been more nuanced with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, hitting every expected note. Making a film about dog co-parenting is not terrible – though it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
