It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that jointly caring for a canine companion after a breakup is ill-advised. Most will argue such setups prevent ex-partners from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. Seemingly, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to become depressed.
Not to downplay the inner life of animals – countless people attest to their deep emotional capacity. If you need masterclass in pet despair, one need only look a past film. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog played by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult coping with divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a full holiday film on this conflict holds water seems a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, written by its screenwriters and directed by director Swale, never aspires to be anything more than its premise. It functions as a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the depth is limited. The narrative is destined to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – think fake snow piled on green trees as North Carolina substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these familiar elements coalesce into a pleasant experience hinges on the strength of the performances and one's taste for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who scroll endlessly for dog videos. The film delivers a series of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is Merv himself, and while this leads to some stilted moments between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie does offer walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. Its style wavers between relationship drama, zany antics, formulaic romance, and silly gags, never fully committing to a single genre. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe demanded of the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal comes across as a little too aloof, notably when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself manages looking despondent – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to give weight to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, given that the dog is easily the best part of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their original breakup would feel more nuanced with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting every expected note. Making a film about dog co-parenting has potential – but it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video starting December 10.
