This is a widely held belief in certain circles that jointly caring for a dog following a split is a terrible idea. Most will argue such arrangements impede individuals from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and become annoying for everyone involved. Seemingly, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of our pets – countless people attest to their deep emotional capacity. To witness a prime example in pet despair, consider a past film. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog played by Gus the Dog, would struggle adjusting to split households. The idea of basing a full holiday film on this conflict holds water seems rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, written by the writing duo and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than what it is. We have here a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions remains surface-level. Its storyline is destined to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – played by familiar faces – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by fake snow clinging to verdant foliage as North Carolina stands in for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these familiar elements coalesce into a pleasant experience depends on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who browse regularly for pet content. Audiences receive a plethora of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the canine star, and though it results in some awkward editing between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on walking sequences, dog depression, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
The same praise does not extend for the interpersonal drama. Its style vacillates between serious study, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a single genre. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward inherent in the dog resort scenario. He brings a likable self-deprecation that supplies much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. The character can feel a bit too dry, especially when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, the canine performer is convincing at looking despondent – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to give weight to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, considering Merv is by far the best part of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The reason for their original breakup could have been more adult and realistic with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – even if I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
