This is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that jointly caring for a dog after a breakup is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such situations hinder individuals from healing, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. As it turns out, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to feel down.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of animals – pet parents observe their profound sensitivity. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, one need only look recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog played by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adjusting to split households. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on such a setup holds water is rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than a light film. We have here a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth remains surface-level. The narrative proves to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will surely realize the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – including a group of comedic actors – serve as the usual assortment of types. Visually is reminiscent of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – exemplified by fake snow piled on lush pines as a warm climate substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these standard ingredients coalesce into an entertaining watch depends on the execution and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – individuals who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a series of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the canine star, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between animal action and people's faces, the movie does offer canine party antics, dog depression, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach shifts uneasily between serious study, broad humor, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, not quite landing any one mode. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is fully game the humiliating and funny demanded of the unusual premise. He brings a endearing lack of ego that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal can feel a touch too detached, notably when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Merv himself is convincing at acting depressed – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, considering the title character is undoubtedly the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for the split would feel more nuanced with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting every expected note. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – though I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
