It is a common warning in certain circles that jointly caring for a canine companion after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such situations hinder former couples from healing, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. 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 remarkable empathy. To witness a standout portrayal in pet despair, simply recall a past film. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog played by the canine actor Gus, would struggle coping with life in two homes. If this concept a full holiday film on this conflict works effectively is a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than what it is. We have here a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity are modest. The narrative proves to be simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – 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 wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – as seen in fake snow clinging to verdant foliage as a warm climate stands in for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
How these familiar elements merge into an entertaining watch rests upon the strength of the performances and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who browse regularly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is Merv himself, and while this leads to some stilted moments between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie delivers on canine party antics, pet moping, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
The same praise is not earned for the romantic plot. The tone vacillates between relationship drama, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, failing to master a consistent feel. This is not Charlie Cox, who is fully game the absurd and awkward inherent in the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. The character comes across as a bit too dry, notably when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, the canine performer is convincing at acting depressed – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, considering the title character is undoubtedly the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their original breakup would feel more adult and realistic with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling every expected note. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting has potential – even if I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
