It 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 prevent ex-partners from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. As it turns out, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the inner life of our pets – countless people speak of their deep emotional capacity. For a prime example in canine melancholy, simply recall another performance. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog played by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adapting to split households. If this concept a full holiday film on such a setup works effectively seems rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, written by the writing duo and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than a light film. We have here a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity is limited. The narrative proves to be uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – played by familiar faces – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – as seen in fake snow clinging to green trees as a summer location stands in for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
How these standard ingredients coalesce into a pleasant experience depends on the execution and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – individuals who scroll endlessly for pet content. The film delivers a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the dog, and though it results in some stilted moments between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie delivers on walking sequences, pet moping, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. Its style wavers between emotional depth, zany antics, predictable love story, and silly gags, failing to master a single genre. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward demanded of the unusual premise. He brings a charming humility that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. The character comes across as a touch too detached, particularly when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, the canine performer is convincing at acting depressed – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The story strives to give weight to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, since Merv is by far the best part of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their original breakup would feel more nuanced with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling every expected note. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – but I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
