It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that jointly caring for a canine companion after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such situations prevent individuals from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and become annoying for all parties. As it turns out, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of animals – pet parents observe their remarkable empathy. If you need masterclass in pet despair, one need only look recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix played by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult coping with split households. The idea of basing a full holiday film around this situation holds water seems rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than a light film. We have here a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the depth are modest. Its storyline unfolds as simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – played by familiar faces – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually has the quality of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – think flurries surrounding lush pines as North Carolina doubles as the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
How these standard ingredients coalesce into an entertaining watch rests upon the actors' work and an acceptance of easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who browse regularly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a series of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the canine star, and though it results in some stilted moments between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie does offer walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The film's approach shifts uneasily between serious study, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a single genre. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is fully game the silliness and cringe inherent in the bizarre setting. He brings a likable self-deprecation that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. The character comes across as a bit too dry, notably when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Merv himself succeeds in looking despondent – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the central romance for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, since Merv is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their separation could have been more nuanced with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – but it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
