This is a common warning among many that jointly caring for a pet following a split is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such setups hinder former couples from healing, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and become annoying across the board. Apparently, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to become depressed.
Not to downplay the mental health of dogs – countless people speak of their profound sensitivity. If you need standout portrayal in dog sorrow, one need only look recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult coping with split households. Whether this premise a full holiday film on this conflict works effectively remains rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and helmed by director Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than what it is. This is a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the depth is limited. The narrative unfolds as simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will presumably realize the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – played by a group of comedic actors – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look has the quality of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – as seen in obvious snow effects piled on lush pines as a summer location stands in for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these predictable parts come together into an entertaining watch rests upon the execution and one's taste for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who browse regularly for dog videos. Audiences receive a plethora of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the canine star, and even if it causes some stilted moments between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, dog depression, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
The same praise cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The tone vacillates between relationship drama, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and physical comedy, failing to master any one mode. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny inherent in the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal comes across as a bit too dry, particularly when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, the canine performer manages acting depressed – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, considering the dog is easily the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The cause for their separation could have been more adult and realistic with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting all its marks. Crafting a story with this canine conflict has potential – even if I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform starting December 10.