It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that jointly caring for a dog after a breakup is ill-advised. Most will argue such situations hinder ex-partners from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance across the board. Seemingly, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the mental health of animals – many owners attest to their deep emotional capacity. For a prime example in dog sorrow, one need only look recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance around this situation works effectively remains debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of the writing duo and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than its premise. This is a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity is limited. The narrative unfolds as straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – featuring a group of comedic actors – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – as seen in fake snow piled on green trees as a warm climate doubles as the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these familiar elements merge into an entertaining watch rests upon the execution and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who browse regularly for pet content. The film delivers a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the dog, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between animal action and human reaction, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Human Element
This level of success cannot be applied for the human side of the story. Its style wavers between serious study, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a single genre. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is fully game the humiliating and funny inherent in the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal comes across as a touch too detached, especially when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog is convincing at looking despondent – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a very good boy.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, considering the title character is easily the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for the split would feel more grounded and mature with more screen time and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting all its marks. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise has potential – though it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
