This is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that jointly caring for a canine companion post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such arrangements hinder individuals from finding closure, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and become annoying for all parties. Apparently, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to become depressed.
While respecting the inner life of animals – pet parents speak of their remarkable empathy. If you need masterclass in dog sorrow, one need only look a past film. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by Gus the Dog, would struggle coping with divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a full holiday film on such a setup holds water remains rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by its screenwriters and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than a light film. It functions as a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the depth remains surface-level. Its storyline proves to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – exemplified by flurries piled on green trees as a summer location stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
How these predictable parts come together into a pleasant experience rests upon the execution and one's taste for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – the kind who seek out for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a plethora of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is Merv himself, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on walking sequences, pet moping, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Human Element
The same praise is not earned for the human side of the story. The tone shifts uneasily between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, failing to master any one mode. This is not Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe demanded of the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that provides much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. The character seems a touch too detached, especially when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself manages acting depressed – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a very good boy.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, since the dog is by far the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their separation would feel more nuanced with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling all its marks. Creating a movie with this canine conflict is not terrible – though it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
