It is a widely held belief among many that jointly caring for a pet after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such situations hinder ex-partners from healing, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. As it turns out, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
While respecting the mental health of animals – pet parents observe their deep emotional capacity. If you need standout portrayal in dog sorrow, one need only look recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by Gus the Dog, would struggle adjusting to split households. The idea of basing a full holiday film on this conflict holds water remains debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than its premise. We have here a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the depth are modest. Its storyline is destined to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ, played by 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 canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – featuring a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually has the quality of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – exemplified by flurries piled on verdant foliage as a summer location substitutes for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these familiar elements coalesce into an entertaining watch hinges on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who scroll endlessly for dog videos. Audiences receive a series of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is Merv himself, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, pet moping, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The tone vacillates between relationship drama, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, never fully committing to any one mode. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the absurd and awkward required by the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a charming humility that offers much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her Anna seems a bit too dry, notably when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself manages acting depressed – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a very good boy.)
Merv tries to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, given that Merv is undoubtedly the cutest element of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for the split could have been more adult and realistic with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, hitting all its marks. Creating a movie with this canine conflict has potential – but it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
