It is a widely held belief among many that jointly caring for a dog following a split is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such arrangements impede individuals from healing, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for all parties. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to become depressed.
Without minimizing the mental health of animals – countless people observe their profound sensitivity. To witness a prime example in dog sorrow, one need only look recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult coping with divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a full holiday film on this conflict works effectively seems a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and helmed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than its premise. It functions as a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth is limited. The narrative is destined to be simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – think flurries clinging to verdant foliage as a summer location substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these standard ingredients coalesce into an entertaining watch hinges on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – the kind who seek out for dog videos. The film delivers a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is Merv himself, and though it results in some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, dog depression, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness does not extend for the romantic plot. The film's approach wavers between serious study, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, failing to master a single genre. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe required by the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a charming humility that provides much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. The character can feel a touch too detached, especially when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Merv himself is convincing at looking despondent – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a very good boy.)
Merv tries to add substance to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, considering Merv is by far the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for the split might seem more grounded and mature with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting every expected note. Crafting a story with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – though it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
