It is a widely held belief for numerous people that co-parenting a dog after a breakup is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such situations prevent ex-partners from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and are a nuisance across the board. Apparently, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to feel down.
While respecting the emotional well-being of dogs – many owners attest to their profound sensitivity. For a masterclass in pet despair, one need only look another performance. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adapting to life in two homes. The idea of basing a full holiday film on such a setup works effectively is rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of the writing duo and directed by director Swale, never aspires to be anything more than a light film. We have here a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the depth are modest. The plot proves to be straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – including a group of comedic actors – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually has the quality of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – as seen in fake snow surrounding verdant foliage as a summer location stands in for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
If these standard ingredients coalesce into something enjoyable depends on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who browse regularly for dog videos. The film delivers a series of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the canine star, and even if it causes some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The film's approach vacillates between emotional depth, zany antics, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a single genre. This is not Charlie Cox, who is fully game the absurd and awkward required by the bizarre setting. His performance contains a charming humility that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. The character seems a bit too dry, particularly when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, the canine performer succeeds in looking despondent – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The film attempts to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, given that the title character is by far the best part of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their original breakup could have been more nuanced with more screen time and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling all its marks. Creating a movie with this canine conflict is not terrible – even if it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
