This is a common warning for numerous people that jointly caring for a dog after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such situations hinder ex-partners from healing, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating across the board. Seemingly, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Without minimizing the mental health of our pets – many owners speak of their remarkable empathy. For a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, consider recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adapting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a full holiday film on such a setup works effectively remains debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than what it is. It functions as a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions are modest. The narrative is destined to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – featuring a group of comedic actors – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look is reminiscent of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – think flurries surrounding lush pines as North Carolina stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
If these predictable parts coalesce into something enjoyable depends on the execution and one's taste for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – those people who scroll endlessly for pet content. The film delivers a wealth of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the dog, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie does offer canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
This level of success does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach shifts uneasily between emotional depth, broad humor, predictable love story, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward inherent in the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. The character seems a bit too dry, especially when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog is convincing at looking despondent – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, considering the dog is by far the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their separation could have been more adult and realistic with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting every expected note. Making a film with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – even if I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video this December.
