This is a widely held belief in certain circles that jointly caring for a pet following a split is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such situations impede individuals from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for all parties. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes our furry friends to become depressed.
While respecting the inner life of dogs – countless people speak of their remarkable empathy. For a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, one need only look recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adapting to life in two homes. If this concept a full holiday film on such a setup is sustainable is debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and helmed by director Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than a light film. We have here a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions are modest. The narrative unfolds as uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will presumably realize the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – played by a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. The film's look has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by flurries surrounding green trees as a summer location substitutes for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
If these standard ingredients come together into a pleasant experience depends on the actors' work and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who scroll endlessly for pet content. Audiences receive a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is Merv himself, and while this leads to some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, in the end, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise is not earned for the romantic plot. Its style vacillates between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, never fully committing to a consistent feel. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe inherent in the dog resort scenario. He brings a charming humility that offers much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. The character seems a bit too dry, especially when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself succeeds in acting depressed – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a very good boy.)
Merv tries to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, since the title character is easily the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The reason for their original breakup could have been more adult and realistic with more screen time and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, hitting all its marks. Crafting a story with this canine conflict has potential – but it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
