This is a widely held belief among many that jointly caring for a pet after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such setups hinder ex-partners from moving forward, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and prove frustrating across the board. Seemingly, as a development suited to a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Not to downplay the inner life of our pets – many owners attest to their remarkable empathy. For a masterclass in canine melancholy, consider a past film. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adapting to split households. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on this conflict holds water is debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and directed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than what it is. It functions as a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the depth is limited. The plot unfolds as uncomplicated: former spouses Russ (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. At this location, predictably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – think fake snow clinging to verdant foliage as a warm climate doubles as a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
How these standard ingredients merge into an entertaining watch hinges on the actors' work and an acceptance of comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – those people who browse regularly for cute animal clips. It provides a series of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the dog, and while this leads to some awkward editing between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie does offer canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness does not extend for the interpersonal drama. Its style wavers between emotional depth, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, failing to master a consistent feel. This is not Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward required by the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a charming humility that supplies much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal comes across as a touch too detached, notably when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Merv himself succeeds in acting depressed – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to add substance to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, given that the dog is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The cause for their separation would feel more adult and realistic with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie with this canine conflict has potential – though I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
