This is a common warning for numerous people that jointly caring for a pet after a breakup is a terrible idea. Most will argue such setups prevent individuals from healing, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and become annoying for everyone involved. Apparently, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it also makes our furry friends to become depressed.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of dogs – pet parents observe their remarkable empathy. To witness a standout portrayal in pet despair, one need only look a past film. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by Gus the Dog, would struggle adjusting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a full holiday film on such a setup is sustainable is a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than what it is. We have here a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the depth are modest. Its storyline unfolds as simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – played by a group of comedic actors – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually is reminiscent of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – think obvious snow effects surrounding verdant foliage as a warm climate stands in for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these predictable parts merge into an entertaining watch depends on the strength of the performances and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – the kind who seek out for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the dog, and though it results in some stilted moments between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach wavers between emotional depth, zany antics, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a single genre. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is fully game the silliness and cringe demanded of the unusual premise. His performance contains a charming humility that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her Anna can feel a little too aloof, particularly when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, the canine performer succeeds in looking despondent – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to give weight to the central romance for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, given that the dog is easily the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their separation could have been more grounded and mature with less exposition and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise has potential – even if I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv streams on Prime Video on December 10th.
