This is a widely held belief for numerous people that jointly caring for a dog after a breakup is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such arrangements prevent individuals from finding closure, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for all parties. As it turns out, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of dogs – countless people attest to their profound sensitivity. To witness a masterclass in pet despair, consider another performance. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adjusting to split households. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on this conflict holds water is rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than a light film. It functions as a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity remains surface-level. The narrative unfolds as straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will surely realize the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – think fake snow surrounding green trees as a summer location doubles as the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these predictable parts come together into a pleasant experience depends on the execution and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who seek out for dog videos. The film delivers a wealth of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is Merv himself, and even if it causes some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
This level of success cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The film's approach wavers between relationship drama, broad humor, formulaic romance, and silly gags, never fully committing to a consistent feel. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny required by the unusual premise. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that supplies much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal comes across as a touch too detached, especially when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, the canine performer is convincing at looking despondent – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to give weight to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, since Merv is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their separation might seem more adult and realistic with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – even if it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
