It is a widely held belief among many that jointly caring for a dog after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such arrangements hinder former couples from healing, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and become annoying for everyone involved. Apparently, as a development worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the canine in question to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of animals – pet parents attest to their deep emotional capacity. For a masterclass in pet despair, one need only look recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by Gus the Dog, would struggle coping with life in two homes. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on this conflict works effectively seems debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, written by its screenwriters and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than its premise. It functions as a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity is limited. The plot proves to be straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – including familiar faces – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look has the quality of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – as seen in flurries clinging to verdant foliage as a summer location substitutes for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these familiar elements come together into a pleasant experience hinges on the execution and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – the kind who scroll endlessly for pet content. Audiences receive a wealth of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the dog, and though it results in some awkward editing between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, dog depression, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The film's approach vacillates between emotional depth, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, not quite landing any one mode. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe inherent in the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. The character comes across as a bit too dry, particularly when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, the canine performer is convincing at flopping and whining – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a very good boy.)
The film attempts to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, given that the title character is by far the best part of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The reason for their separation would feel more nuanced with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting all its marks. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting is not terrible – though I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video this December.
