It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that jointly caring for a pet after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such arrangements hinder ex-partners from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for all parties. Seemingly, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it also makes our furry friends to experience sadness.
While respecting the inner life of dogs – countless people speak of their deep emotional capacity. For a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, simply recall a past film. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a full holiday film on such a setup works effectively seems debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by director Swale, never aspires to be deeper than a light film. This is a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions is limited. The plot proves to be uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – played by familiar faces – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – think flurries clinging to lush pines as a warm climate stands in for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
How these familiar elements coalesce into an entertaining watch rests upon the execution and an acceptance of comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who scroll endlessly for dog videos. Audiences receive a series of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the dog, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie does offer dog beach fun, dog depression, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the romantic plot. Its style shifts uneasily between relationship drama, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a consistent feel. This is not Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe required by the unusual premise. He brings a charming humility that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. The character comes across as a little too aloof, notably when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, the canine performer manages looking despondent – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a very good boy.)
Merv tries to add substance to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, considering the dog is undoubtedly the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their original breakup could have been more grounded and mature with more screen time and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – even if it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Prime Video starting December 10.
