This is a widely held belief among many that co-parenting a pet after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such situations prevent ex-partners from finding closure, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Apparently, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to become depressed.
Not to downplay the mental health of animals – many owners observe their remarkable empathy. To witness a masterclass in pet despair, one need only look recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adjusting to divided living arrangements. If this concept a full holiday film around this situation is sustainable remains debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than what it is. It functions as a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the complexity remains surface-level. Its storyline is destined to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will presumably realize the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – featuring familiar faces – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. The film's look has the quality of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – think fake snow clinging to green trees as North Carolina stands in for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
How these familiar elements merge into an entertaining watch depends on the execution and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – those people who browse regularly for dog videos. The film delivers a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the dog, and while this leads to some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, dog depression, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness is not earned for the romantic plot. The tone shifts uneasily between relationship drama, zany antics, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, failing to master any one mode. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe inherent in the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her Anna can feel a touch too detached, particularly when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, the canine performer is convincing at flopping and whining – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, 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, considering the dog is easily the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their original breakup would feel more nuanced with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, meeting all its marks. Crafting a story with this canine conflict has potential – though I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video this December.
