It is a common warning among many that jointly caring for a canine companion after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such arrangements impede individuals from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and prove frustrating across the board. Seemingly, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to become depressed.
Without minimizing the mental health of dogs – pet parents speak of their profound sensitivity. For a prime example in pet despair, one need only look another performance. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adjusting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a full holiday film on this conflict works effectively remains debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, the work of the writing duo and directed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than what it is. This is a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the depth remains surface-level. The narrative proves to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will presumably realize the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – featuring a group of comedic actors – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic has the quality of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – think fake snow surrounding verdant foliage as a summer location stands in for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
How these standard ingredients coalesce into an entertaining watch hinges on the execution and one's taste for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – those people who seek out for cute animal clips. The film delivers a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the dog, and even if it causes some awkward editing between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success does not extend for the human side of the story. The film's approach shifts uneasily between serious study, zany antics, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a single genre. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the silliness and cringe demanded of the unusual premise. His performance contains a charming humility that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal can feel a touch too detached, notably when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Merv himself manages flopping and whining – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to add substance to the central romance for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, since the title character is undoubtedly the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their original breakup might seem more adult and realistic with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling all its marks. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting is not terrible – even if it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
