It is a common warning for numerous people that jointly caring for a canine companion after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such setups hinder former couples from healing, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and become annoying for all parties. As it turns out, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Without minimizing the inner life of dogs – many owners speak of their deep emotional capacity. For a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, simply recall a past film. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult coping with split households. Whether this premise a full holiday film on this conflict holds water is a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than a light film. This is a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth remains surface-level. Its storyline is destined to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – featuring familiar faces – serve as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – think flurries piled on lush pines as a warm climate substitutes for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
How these predictable parts coalesce into a pleasant experience depends on the actors' work and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who scroll endlessly for dog videos. The film delivers a wealth of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the dog, and while this leads to some awkward editing between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, dog depression, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The tone wavers between relationship drama, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, never fully committing to a single genre. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is fully game the silliness and cringe demanded of the unusual premise. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. The character seems a touch too detached, particularly when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Gus the Dog is convincing at looking despondent – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, considering the title character is undoubtedly the best part of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their original breakup could have been more nuanced with more screen time and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting every expected note. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – though I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform this December.
