This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that jointly caring for a dog after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such situations prevent ex-partners from finding closure, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for all parties. Seemingly, in a revelation worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the canine in question to feel down.
Not to downplay the inner life of our pets – many owners observe their profound sensitivity. For a prime example in canine melancholy, one need only look a past film. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on this conflict holds water is rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, written by its screenwriters and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than what it is. We have here a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity are modest. Its storyline is destined to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by flurries surrounding green trees as a warm climate stands in for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
If these predictable parts coalesce into something enjoyable rests upon the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who browse regularly for cute animal clips. It provides a series of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the canine star, and though it results in some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie does offer canine party antics, pet moping, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise is not earned for the romantic plot. The film's approach vacillates between relationship drama, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, not quite landing a consistent feel. This is not Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny required by the unusual premise. His performance contains a charming humility that provides much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her Anna comes across as a touch too detached, notably when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, the canine performer succeeds in acting depressed – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to give weight to the central romance for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, given that the dog is easily the best part of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for the split could have been more grounded and mature with less exposition and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise has potential – though I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
