This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that jointly caring for a canine companion after a breakup is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such setups prevent ex-partners from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for all parties. Apparently, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to become depressed.
Without minimizing the mental health of our pets – pet parents speak of their deep emotional capacity. For a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, consider recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix played by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle coping with life in two homes. The idea of basing a full holiday film around this situation holds water remains a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and helmed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. We have here a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions is limited. The narrative proves to be straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look has the quality of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – think fake snow clinging to verdant foliage as North Carolina doubles as a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
If these familiar elements come together into something enjoyable hinges on the actors' work and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – the kind who seek out for cute animal clips. It provides a plethora of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the canine star, and while this leads to some stilted moments between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie does offer canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach vacillates between emotional depth, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and silly gags, never fully committing to any one mode. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward inherent in the dog resort scenario. He brings a likable self-deprecation that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna seems a little too aloof, notably when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Gus the Dog manages looking despondent – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still an excellent dog.)
The story strives to add substance to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, considering Merv is easily the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their original breakup could have been more adult and realistic with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling all its marks. Making a film on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – but it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video this December.
