This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that jointly caring for a canine companion after a breakup is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such situations impede individuals from finding closure, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and become annoying across the board. As it turns out, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the canine in question to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the inner life of animals – pet parents attest to their profound sensitivity. For a masterclass in canine melancholy, consider recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by Gus the Dog, would struggle adjusting to life in two homes. If this concept a full holiday film on such a setup works effectively remains a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than what it is. This is a Christmas movie 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, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – exemplified by obvious snow effects clinging to green trees as a warm climate doubles as a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these familiar elements coalesce into an entertaining watch hinges on the strength of the performances and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – individuals who scroll endlessly for dog videos. Audiences receive a series of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the canine star, and though it results in some awkward editing between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. Its style wavers between relationship drama, broad humor, formulaic romance, and silly gags, not quite landing a single genre. This is not Charlie Cox, who is fully game the humiliating and funny inherent in the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. The character can feel a bit too dry, especially when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, the canine performer manages flopping and whining – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains an excellent dog.)
The story strives to add substance to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, since the dog is easily the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The cause for their original breakup would feel more grounded and mature with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting every expected note. Making a film with this canine conflict is not terrible – even if it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
