This is a common warning among many that jointly caring for a dog after a breakup is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such arrangements hinder ex-partners from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and become annoying for all parties. Seemingly, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of dogs – countless people speak of their deep emotional capacity. For a prime example in dog sorrow, one need only look a past film. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a full holiday film on such a setup works effectively seems rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by the writing duo and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than a light film. This is a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth are modest. Its storyline unfolds as 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 cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will surely realize the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – featuring familiar faces – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. The film's look has the quality of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – exemplified by fake snow surrounding lush pines as a warm climate stands in for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these standard ingredients come together into an entertaining watch rests upon the execution and one's taste for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – individuals who browse regularly for cute animal clips. It provides a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is Merv himself, and though it results in some awkward editing between animal action and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, pet moping, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach shifts uneasily between serious study, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to any one mode. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is fully game the absurd and awkward demanded of the unusual premise. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her Anna comes across as a touch too detached, particularly when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Merv himself manages acting depressed – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a very good boy.)
The story strives to add substance to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, given that the title character is easily the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their separation might seem more adult and realistic with less exposition and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting every expected note. Making a film about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – even if it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
