It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that jointly caring for a dog after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such arrangements prevent former couples from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and become annoying across the board. Apparently, as a development suited to a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the mental health of dogs – many owners attest to their remarkable empathy. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, consider recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time coping with divided living arrangements. If this concept a full holiday film on such a setup holds water is debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and directed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than its premise. We have here a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions are modest. Its storyline unfolds as simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – as seen in obvious snow effects piled on green trees as a summer location substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
If these predictable parts merge into something enjoyable depends on the strength of the performances and one's taste for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who browse regularly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a series of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the canine star, and while this leads to some awkward editing between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie does offer walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach shifts uneasily between serious study, zany antics, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, failing to master a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward required by the bizarre setting. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her Anna can feel a bit too dry, particularly when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Merv himself succeeds in acting depressed – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to add substance to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, since the title character is easily the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their original breakup might seem more nuanced with less exposition and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Making a film with this canine conflict has potential – though I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
