It 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 arrangements impede former couples from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and become annoying across the board. Seemingly, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the canine in question to feel down.
Without minimizing the inner life of our pets – many owners speak of their profound sensitivity. For a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, consider recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time coping with life in two homes. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on such a setup is sustainable is debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and directed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than a light film. This is a holiday release from a corporate studio – the depth is limited. Its storyline unfolds as uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – including familiar faces – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic has the quality of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – think obvious snow effects surrounding green trees as a summer location stands in for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
If these familiar elements come together into something enjoyable hinges on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who seek out for cute animal clips. It provides a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the canine star, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, dog depression, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success does not extend for the human side of the story. The film's approach wavers between relationship drama, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, failing to master a consistent feel. This is not Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward inherent in the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. The character comes across as a little too aloof, notably when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog succeeds in looking despondent – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a very good boy.)
Merv tries to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, considering Merv is undoubtedly the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their original breakup might seem more nuanced with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – but it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
