This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that jointly caring for a canine companion after a breakup is a terrible idea. Most will argue such situations impede individuals from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for all parties. As it turns out, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of animals – many owners speak of their deep emotional capacity. For a prime example in canine melancholy, consider recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adapting to life in two homes. If this concept a full holiday film around this situation holds water seems a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and directed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than what it is. We have here a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the complexity is limited. The plot is destined to be straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will surely realize the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – as seen in flurries piled on verdant foliage as a warm climate doubles as the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
If these familiar elements merge into a pleasant experience hinges on the execution and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who seek out for dog videos. It provides a plethora of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the dog, and while this leads to some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie does offer canine party antics, dog depression, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness is not earned for the romantic plot. The tone vacillates between relationship drama, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, failing to master a consistent feel. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward demanded of the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a charming humility that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna comes across as a bit too dry, particularly when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Merv himself succeeds in looking despondent – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The film attempts to add substance to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, since the dog is easily the best part of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for the split would feel more grounded and mature with less exposition and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling all its marks. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting is not terrible – but it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform this December.
