This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that jointly caring for a pet after a breakup is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such situations hinder ex-partners from moving forward, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for all parties. Seemingly, as a development worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to become depressed.
While respecting the inner life of animals – pet parents speak of their profound sensitivity. If you need masterclass in pet despair, one need only look recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type played by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult coping with life in two homes. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on such a setup holds water is debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, the work of the writing duo and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. We have here a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the complexity are modest. The narrative proves to be straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – including a group of comedic actors – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – exemplified by obvious snow effects surrounding lush pines as a warm climate substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
If these familiar elements merge into something enjoyable depends on the actors' work and one's taste for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who scroll endlessly for pet content. It provides a plethora of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the dog, and though it results in some awkward editing between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie delivers on canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise is not earned for the human side of the story. Its style shifts uneasily between relationship drama, zany antics, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, not quite landing a single genre. This is not Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe required by the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that supplies much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her Anna seems a little too aloof, especially when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog succeeds in looking despondent – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a very good boy.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, given that Merv is undoubtedly the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for the split would feel more nuanced with more screen time and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story with this canine conflict has potential – even if it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Prime Video on December 10th.
