It is a widely held belief in certain circles that jointly caring for a canine companion after a breakup is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such arrangements hinder ex-partners from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating across the board. As it turns out, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to become depressed.
Without minimizing the mental health of our pets – pet parents attest to their deep emotional capacity. For a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, consider recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog played by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle coping with life in two homes. Whether this premise a full holiday film on this conflict holds water is a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and helmed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than its premise. We have here a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the complexity remains surface-level. The plot proves to be straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – including a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – think obvious snow effects clinging to verdant foliage as a summer location stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
How these standard ingredients coalesce into something enjoyable depends on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – individuals who browse regularly for dog videos. Audiences receive a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is Merv himself, and while this leads to some stilted moments between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie does offer dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness does not extend for the human side of the story. The film's approach vacillates between relationship drama, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, failing to master a single genre. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe required by the unusual premise. He brings a charming humility that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna seems a bit too dry, particularly when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, the canine performer manages flopping and whining – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still an excellent dog.)
The story strives to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, since the dog is easily the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The reason for their separation might seem more adult and realistic with less exposition and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting all its marks. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – though it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
