This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that jointly caring for a pet post-separation is ill-advised. Most will argue such setups impede ex-partners from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. As it turns out, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to become depressed.
While respecting the emotional well-being of our pets – pet parents observe their profound sensitivity. If you need prime example in canine melancholy, simply recall a past film. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adapting to split households. If this concept a full holiday film on this conflict holds water seems debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than its premise. We have here a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions are modest. The narrative is destined to be uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – featuring familiar faces – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look carries the feel of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – as seen in flurries piled on verdant foliage as a warm climate substitutes for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
If these standard ingredients merge into an entertaining watch depends on the actors' work and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who scroll endlessly for pet content. It provides a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the canine star, and while this leads to some awkward editing between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, dog depression, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The film's approach shifts uneasily between serious study, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a single genre. This is not Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward demanded of the bizarre setting. He brings a charming humility that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna can feel a little too aloof, notably when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Gus the Dog manages acting depressed – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains an excellent dog.)
The story strives to add substance to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, considering the dog is undoubtedly the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their separation could have been more adult and realistic with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, hitting every expected note. Making a film with this canine conflict is not terrible – even if I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
