This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that jointly caring for a dog after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such situations impede individuals from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and become annoying for everyone involved. Seemingly, as a development worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Without minimizing the mental health of our pets – countless people attest to their deep emotional capacity. To witness a masterclass in canine melancholy, one need only look a past film. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult coping with divided living arrangements. If this concept a full holiday film on this conflict works effectively remains rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, written by its screenwriters and helmed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than a light film. We have here a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the complexity is limited. The plot is destined to be straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – including familiar faces – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. The film's look is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – think obvious snow effects piled on verdant foliage as a warm climate substitutes for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
If these familiar elements merge into an entertaining watch rests upon the strength of the performances and one's taste for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who scroll endlessly for dog videos. It provides a plethora of adorable dog montages. The central draw is Merv himself, and though it results in some clunky cuts between animal action and human reaction, the movie does offer dog beach fun, pet moping, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
This level of success cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The tone wavers between emotional depth, zany antics, formulaic romance, and silly gags, never fully committing to a single genre. This is not Charlie Cox, who is fully game the humiliating and funny demanded of the dog resort scenario. He brings a charming humility that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal comes across as a little too aloof, especially when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Merv himself is convincing at looking despondent – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a very good boy.)
Merv tries to add substance to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, considering the title character is by far the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for the split could have been more nuanced with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie with this canine conflict has potential – though it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
