It is a common warning for numerous people that jointly caring for a canine companion after a breakup is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such arrangements impede individuals from moving forward, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and become annoying for everyone involved. Apparently, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the inner life of animals – many owners observe their profound sensitivity. If you need prime example in canine melancholy, consider recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by Gus the Dog, would struggle coping with divided living arrangements. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on such a setup is sustainable is rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, written by the writing duo and helmed by director Swale, never aspires to be anything more than its premise. This is a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the depth remains surface-level. Its storyline is destined to be uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic has the quality of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – exemplified by flurries surrounding verdant foliage as North Carolina doubles as a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
If these familiar elements merge into a pleasant experience depends on the actors' work and one's taste for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who seek out for pet content. The film delivers a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the dog, and though it results in some clunky cuts between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie does offer dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach shifts uneasily between emotional depth, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, not quite landing any one mode. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the absurd and awkward inherent in the unusual premise. He brings a likable self-deprecation that provides much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal seems a little too aloof, particularly when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, the canine performer manages acting depressed – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to give weight to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, considering the dog is undoubtedly the best part of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The cause for their separation might seem more adult and realistic with less exposition and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film with this canine conflict has potential – even if it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video on December 10th.
