This is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that jointly caring for a canine companion after a breakup is ill-advised. Most will argue such setups hinder former couples from finding closure, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. As it turns out, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it also makes our furry friends to experience sadness.
While respecting the mental health of animals – many owners speak of their profound sensitivity. If you need standout portrayal in pet despair, consider a past film. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to split households. Whether this premise a full holiday film around this situation works effectively is a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and under the guidance of director Swale, never aspires to be anything more than what it is. It functions as a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth is limited. The narrative unfolds as simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – featuring familiar faces – serve as the usual assortment of types. The film's look has the quality of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – think obvious snow effects surrounding verdant foliage as a warm climate stands in for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these predictable parts merge into an entertaining watch hinges on the execution and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who browse regularly for dog videos. It provides a wealth of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the dog, and even if it causes some stilted moments between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie does offer walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness does not extend for the romantic plot. Its style vacillates between relationship drama, zany antics, formulaic romance, and silly gags, not quite landing a single genre. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe required by the dog resort scenario. He brings a likable self-deprecation that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. The character comes across as a bit too dry, especially when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, the canine performer is convincing at flopping and whining – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still an excellent dog.)
The story strives to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, since the dog is by far the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for the split would feel more grounded and mature with less exposition and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting all its marks. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – but it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
