It is a widely held belief among many that co-parenting a canine companion after a breakup is ill-advised. Most will argue such setups impede ex-partners from moving forward, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and become annoying for everyone involved. As it turns out, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to become depressed.
While respecting the emotional well-being of our pets – many owners attest to their deep emotional capacity. For a masterclass in canine melancholy, one need only look recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adjusting to split households. The idea of basing a full holiday film on this conflict holds water is rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by the writing duo and helmed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than a light film. We have here a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions are modest. The narrative proves to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – including familiar faces – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. The film's look is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – think flurries surrounding lush pines as a summer location stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
If these standard ingredients coalesce into a pleasant experience depends on the execution and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who seek out for pet content. The film delivers a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is Merv himself, and even if it causes some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie does offer walking sequences, dog depression, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Human Element
The same praise does not extend for the human side of the story. The tone shifts uneasily between relationship drama, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a consistent feel. This is not Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny inherent in the dog resort scenario. He brings a endearing lack of ego that supplies much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna can feel a bit too dry, notably when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog is convincing at flopping and whining – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to give weight to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, considering Merv is easily the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their separation might seem more adult and realistic with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling every expected note. Making a film with this canine conflict has potential – even if it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video starting December 10.
