This is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that jointly caring for a dog after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such situations hinder former couples from healing, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and become annoying for everyone involved. As it turns out, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of dogs – many owners speak of their profound sensitivity. For a masterclass in pet despair, one need only look recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adapting to split households. If this concept a full holiday film on such a setup works effectively remains debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than what it is. This is a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the depth are modest. The plot unfolds as straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – including a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – as seen in flurries piled on verdant foliage as a warm climate doubles as the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
How these standard ingredients come together into an entertaining watch hinges on the execution and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who seek out for pet content. Audiences receive a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the dog, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie does offer dog beach fun, pet moping, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success does not extend for the romantic plot. Its style wavers between relationship drama, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a single genre. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the absurd and awkward required by the bizarre setting. He brings a endearing lack of ego that provides much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal can feel a touch too detached, especially when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Gus the Dog is convincing at acting depressed – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to add substance to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, given that Merv is undoubtedly the best part of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their original breakup would feel more adult and realistic with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling all its marks. Creating a movie with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – but it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
