This is a widely held belief for numerous people that jointly caring for a pet after a breakup is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such arrangements hinder ex-partners from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and are a nuisance across the board. Apparently, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the mental health of our pets – many owners speak of their remarkable empathy. For a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, consider recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog played by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to split households. If this concept a full holiday film on such a setup works effectively is debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and helmed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than a light film. This is a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the complexity is limited. Its storyline proves to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is matched 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. The supporting cast – played by familiar faces – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – think obvious snow effects piled on verdant foliage as a warm climate stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these familiar elements come together into an entertaining watch hinges on the actors' work and one's taste for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – individuals who scroll endlessly for pet content. The film delivers a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the canine star, and though it results in some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie does offer dog beach fun, pet moping, and, in the end, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness does not extend for the human side of the story. The film's approach wavers between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, failing to master a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is fully game the silliness and cringe required by the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that supplies much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal can feel a little too aloof, notably when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, the canine performer is convincing at acting depressed – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a very good boy.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, considering Merv is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for the split could have been more grounded and mature with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling every expected note. Creating a movie with this canine conflict is not terrible – but it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
