It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that jointly caring for a dog after a breakup is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such setups impede ex-partners from healing, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and become annoying across the board. As it turns out, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the canine in question to feel down.
Without minimizing the inner life of animals – pet parents observe their deep emotional capacity. If you need standout portrayal in pet despair, consider recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adapting to split households. The idea of basing a full holiday film around this situation works effectively remains rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, written by its screenwriters and helmed by director Swale, never aspires to be more profound than its premise. This is a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the complexity remains surface-level. Its storyline is destined to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – featuring familiar faces – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – exemplified by obvious snow effects clinging to green trees as a warm climate substitutes for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
If these standard ingredients coalesce into something enjoyable depends on the execution and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – the kind who browse regularly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a wealth of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the dog, and though it results in some awkward editing between animal action and people's faces, the movie does offer dog beach fun, dog depression, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness is not earned for the interpersonal drama. Its style vacillates between relationship drama, zany antics, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, not quite landing any one mode. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the humiliating and funny demanded of the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a charming humility that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. The character can feel a little too aloof, notably when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, the canine performer succeeds in flopping and whining – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, considering the dog is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The reason for their separation might seem more nuanced with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie with this canine conflict is not terrible – but I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
