It is a widely held belief among many that jointly caring for a canine companion post-separation is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such setups prevent former couples from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance across the board. As it turns out, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Not to downplay the mental health of dogs – many owners speak of their remarkable empathy. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, consider a past film. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adapting to life in two homes. If this concept a full holiday film on such a setup is sustainable remains a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than its premise. We have here a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the depth is limited. Its storyline proves to be simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Side characters – featuring familiar faces – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Visually has the quality of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – as seen in obvious snow effects piled on green trees as a warm climate stands in for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
How these standard ingredients coalesce into something enjoyable rests upon the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – the kind who scroll endlessly for pet content. The film delivers a wealth of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the dog, and though it results in some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie delivers on canine party antics, dog depression, and, finally, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise does not extend for the interpersonal drama. Its style shifts uneasily between serious study, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and physical comedy, not quite landing a single genre. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is fully game the humiliating and funny inherent in the dog resort scenario. He brings a likable self-deprecation that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. The character comes across as a touch too detached, notably when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Gus the Dog is convincing at looking despondent – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, considering the dog is undoubtedly the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for the split might seem more grounded and mature with less exposition and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, meeting every expected note. Crafting a story with this canine conflict has potential – even if it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Prime Video on December 10th.
