This is a widely held belief for numerous people that jointly caring for a pet after a breakup is a terrible idea. Most will argue such setups impede ex-partners from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Seemingly, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to feel down.
Without minimizing the inner life of animals – countless people speak of their remarkable empathy. For a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, one need only look another performance. It seems certain that a dog such as 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 this conflict is sustainable is debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by the writing duo and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than its premise. We have here a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity remains surface-level. The plot unfolds as simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will surely rediscover the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – as seen in obvious snow effects surrounding lush pines as a warm climate substitutes for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these familiar elements come together into a pleasant experience rests upon the actors' work and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who browse regularly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the canine star, and while this leads to some awkward editing between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie delivers on canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise is not earned for the romantic plot. The film's approach vacillates between emotional depth, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, not quite landing any one mode. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward required by the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that offers much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal comes across as a little too aloof, notably when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Merv himself manages flopping and whining – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a very good boy.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, considering the title character is easily the best part of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their original breakup might seem more adult and realistic with less exposition and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting all its marks. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – even if it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video on December 10th.
