It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that jointly caring for a pet after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such setups prevent former couples from healing, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and become annoying for all parties. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to feel down.
Not to downplay the mental health of our pets – pet parents observe their deep emotional capacity. For a masterclass in canine melancholy, one need only look recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog portrayed by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adapting to split households. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance around this situation is sustainable seems rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by the writing duo and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than what it is. We have here a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth are modest. The narrative unfolds as simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look is reminiscent of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by flurries clinging to green trees as a summer location stands in for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these predictable parts merge into an entertaining watch rests upon the execution and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – individuals who scroll endlessly for dog videos. The film delivers a wealth of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the canine star, and even if it causes some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie delivers on canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise is not earned for the interpersonal drama. Its style shifts uneasily between relationship drama, broad humor, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, failing to master any one mode. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny required by the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a charming humility that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. The character can feel a touch too detached, notably when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Merv himself is convincing at acting depressed – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to give weight to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, given that the dog is undoubtedly the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for the split could have been more adult and realistic with less exposition and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling all its marks. Crafting a story with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – even if it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
