It is a common warning for numerous people that co-parenting a dog after a breakup is a terrible idea. Most will argue such situations prevent individuals from healing, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and are a nuisance across the board. Seemingly, as a development suited to a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to become depressed.
Not to downplay the mental health of dogs – many owners observe their deep emotional capacity. For a prime example in dog sorrow, consider another performance. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog played by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adjusting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a full holiday film on this conflict works effectively remains debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of director Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than its premise. It functions as a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the ambitions are modest. Its storyline proves to be uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually is reminiscent of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – as seen in flurries clinging to lush pines as a warm climate stands in for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
How these standard ingredients come together into a pleasant experience rests upon the actors' work and one's taste for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who browse regularly for dog videos. The film delivers a series of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the dog, and even if it causes some stilted moments between animal action and human reaction, the movie does offer dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The tone wavers between emotional depth, broad humor, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a single genre. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward required by the bizarre setting. He brings a charming humility that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her Anna comes across as a touch too detached, especially when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog is convincing at acting depressed – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to add substance to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, since the title character is easily the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The reason for their separation might seem more nuanced with more screen time and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting all its marks. Creating a movie with this canine conflict is not terrible – but I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Prime Video this December.
