It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that jointly caring for a canine companion after a breakup is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such setups hinder former couples from healing, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and become annoying for everyone involved. As it turns out, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
While respecting the emotional well-being of dogs – pet parents attest to their remarkable empathy. To witness a standout portrayal in pet despair, consider another performance. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adjusting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on such a setup holds water seems rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than a light film. It functions as a holiday release from a corporate studio – the complexity remains surface-level. Its storyline unfolds as simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic has the quality of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – as seen in fake snow piled on verdant foliage as North Carolina substitutes for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
How these familiar elements merge into a pleasant experience hinges on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who seek out for dog videos. Audiences receive a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the canine star, and though it results in some clunky cuts between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie delivers on canine party antics, dog depression, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The tone wavers between serious study, broad humor, formulaic romance, and silly gags, never fully committing to a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe required by the bizarre setting. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. The character comes across as a touch too detached, particularly when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Merv himself manages acting depressed – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, given that the title character is undoubtedly the cutest element of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their separation might seem more adult and realistic with less exposition and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – but I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform this December.
