It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that jointly caring for a pet after a breakup is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such setups hinder ex-partners from healing, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and become annoying across the board. As it turns out, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to experience sadness.
While respecting the inner life of dogs – pet parents speak of their profound sensitivity. For a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, simply recall another performance. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would struggle coping with life in two homes. The idea of basing a full holiday film around this situation works effectively remains a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than what it is. We have here a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the complexity are modest. The plot is destined to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will surely realize the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – think flurries clinging to verdant foliage as a summer location stands in for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
If these predictable parts merge into a pleasant experience hinges on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. It provides a series of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is Merv himself, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between animal action and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, pet moping, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Human Element
The same praise is not earned for the human side of the story. Its style vacillates between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, not quite landing any one mode. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe inherent in the bizarre setting. He brings a likable self-deprecation that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal seems a little too aloof, especially when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog manages looking despondent – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The story strives to add substance to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, since the title character is easily the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their separation could have been more adult and realistic with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise has potential – even if it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video starting December 10.
