This is a common warning among many that jointly caring for a dog after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such arrangements impede former couples from finding closure, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and become annoying for all parties. As it turns out, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the mental health of dogs – many owners attest to their remarkable empathy. To witness a masterclass in pet despair, one need only look another performance. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to life in two homes. If this concept a full holiday film on this conflict is sustainable seems a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and directed by director Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than its premise. It functions as a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the depth is limited. The narrative unfolds as straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – including familiar faces – serve as the usual assortment of types. Visually is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by fake snow piled on green trees as a warm climate substitutes for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these familiar elements merge into an entertaining watch rests upon the actors' work and one's taste for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – individuals who seek out for cute animal clips. It provides a series of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the canine star, and while this leads to some awkward editing between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Human Element
This level of success is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach vacillates between emotional depth, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, failing to master a single genre. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny required by the unusual premise. His performance contains a charming humility that provides much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna can feel a touch too detached, notably when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, the canine performer manages looking despondent – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to give weight to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, given that the title character is by far the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The reason for their original breakup would feel more grounded and mature with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling every expected note. Making a film about dog co-parenting is not terrible – even if I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
