It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that jointly caring for a dog post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such situations hinder former couples from moving forward, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for all parties. Seemingly, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to feel down.
While respecting the mental health of dogs – pet parents attest to their deep emotional capacity. To witness a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, simply recall a past film. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog played by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to divided living arrangements. If this concept a full holiday film on this conflict holds water is rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by the writing duo and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. It functions as a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity is limited. Its storyline unfolds as uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – played by a group of comedic actors – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look has the quality of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – think fake snow piled on green trees as North Carolina stands in for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these standard ingredients come together into a pleasant experience rests upon the execution and an acceptance of comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – those people who scroll endlessly for pet content. Audiences receive a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the dog, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie does offer dog beach fun, pet moping, and, in the end, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. Its style wavers between serious study, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and silly gags, failing to master any one mode. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe required by the unusual premise. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal seems a bit too dry, especially when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Merv himself succeeds in flopping and whining – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The story strives to add substance to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, given that the title character is by far the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their original breakup could have been more adult and realistic with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie with this canine conflict is not terrible – even if I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
