It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that co-parenting a canine companion post-separation is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such situations hinder former couples from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and prove frustrating across the board. Apparently, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of animals – pet parents speak of their profound sensitivity. To witness a masterclass in pet despair, consider recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time coping with split households. The idea of basing a full holiday film around this situation works effectively seems rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than what it is. We have here a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth are modest. Its storyline unfolds as straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – think fake snow clinging to lush pines as a warm climate stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
How these predictable parts come together into an entertaining watch depends on the actors' work and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the dog, and while this leads to some awkward editing between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, dog depression, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness does not extend for the romantic plot. Its style shifts uneasily between serious study, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a consistent feel. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny required by the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. The character comes across as a touch too detached, notably when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself succeeds in looking despondent – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to add substance to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, since the title character is by far the best part of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for the split would feel more nuanced with less exposition and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling all its marks. Creating a movie with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – even if it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video this December.
