This is a widely held belief for numerous people that jointly caring for a pet after a breakup is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such situations prevent individuals from healing, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Seemingly, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to feel down.
Without minimizing the mental health of our pets – countless people speak of their remarkable empathy. If you need prime example in dog sorrow, one need only look a past film. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time coping with life in two homes. Whether this premise a full holiday film on such a setup is sustainable seems debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than its premise. It functions as a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity remains surface-level. The plot unfolds as uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will surely rediscover the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – played by a group of comedic actors – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – exemplified by flurries clinging to verdant foliage as a summer location stands in for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
How these standard ingredients come together into an entertaining watch rests upon the actors' work and an acceptance of comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – those people who seek out for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a series of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is Merv himself, and though it results in some stilted moments between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The film's approach shifts uneasily between relationship drama, zany antics, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a consistent feel. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny inherent in the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a charming humility that supplies much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her Anna comes across as a little too aloof, particularly when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, the canine performer manages flopping and whining – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to add substance to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, given that the title character is by far the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for the split could have been more nuanced with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting every expected note. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – but it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Prime Video on December 10th.
