It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that jointly caring for a dog following a split is a terrible idea. Most will argue such situations prevent individuals from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes our furry friends to become depressed.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of dogs – pet parents speak of their deep emotional capacity. If you need masterclass in dog sorrow, one need only look a past film. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adjusting to split households. If this concept a full holiday film around this situation is sustainable seems rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, the work of the writing duo and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than a light film. This is a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity is limited. The plot is destined to be uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – featuring familiar faces – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – as seen in flurries surrounding green trees as a summer location doubles as the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
How these predictable parts coalesce into a pleasant experience hinges on the actors' work and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – individuals who browse regularly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the canine star, and though it results in some clunky cuts between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, dog depression, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness is not earned for the romantic plot. The film's approach wavers between emotional depth, broad humor, formulaic romance, and silly gags, failing to master a consistent feel. This is not Cox's performance, who is fully game the silliness and cringe required by the bizarre setting. He brings a endearing lack of ego that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal can feel a bit too dry, particularly when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, the canine performer succeeds in acting depressed – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, considering the title character is undoubtedly the best part of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The cause for their original breakup would feel more nuanced with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting every expected note. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting has potential – though it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video this December.
