It is a common warning for numerous people that jointly caring for a canine companion following a split is a terrible idea. Most will argue such situations hinder former couples from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and become annoying for all parties. As it turns out, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the mental health of animals – pet parents attest to their deep emotional capacity. For a masterclass in dog sorrow, consider recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle coping with divided living arrangements. If this concept a full holiday film around this situation works effectively is rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and helmed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than its premise. It functions as a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth are modest. The narrative is destined to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will surely realize the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – featuring a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic has the quality of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by fake snow surrounding lush pines as a summer location stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these standard ingredients come together into an entertaining watch rests upon the actors' work and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who browse regularly for dog videos. The film delivers a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is Merv himself, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between animal action and people's faces, the movie does offer canine party antics, dog depression, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The film's approach wavers between relationship drama, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, failing to master a consistent feel. This is not Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward inherent in the dog resort scenario. He brings a likable self-deprecation that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal seems a bit too dry, particularly when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself manages acting depressed – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, given that the title character is easily the best part of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for the split would feel more adult and realistic with more screen time and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting every expected note. Making a film with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – though it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform this December.
