It is a common warning for numerous people that jointly caring for a canine companion after a breakup is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such arrangements prevent former couples from healing, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. Seemingly, in a revelation worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to feel down.
Not to downplay the mental health of dogs – countless people speak of their remarkable empathy. If you need masterclass in pet despair, consider a past film. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adjusting to split households. If this concept a full holiday film on such a setup works effectively seems rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than its premise. This is a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the depth is limited. The narrative proves to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they are better together. Side characters – including familiar faces – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – as seen in obvious snow effects clinging to green trees as a warm climate substitutes for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these predictable parts come together into something enjoyable hinges on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who browse regularly for pet content. It provides a series of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the canine star, and though it results in some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Human Element
This level of success does not extend for the romantic plot. The tone wavers between emotional depth, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and physical comedy, failing to master a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward inherent in the bizarre setting. His performance contains a charming humility that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal seems a touch too detached, especially when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog succeeds in looking despondent – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a very good boy.)
The film attempts to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, since the dog is easily the best part of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The catalyst for the split could have been more nuanced with more screen time and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling every expected note. Making a film with this canine conflict has potential – even if it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video this December.
