It is a widely held belief among many that jointly caring for a canine companion post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such setups impede former couples from moving forward, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and prove frustrating across the board. Apparently, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the canine in question to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the mental health of our pets – many owners speak of their profound sensitivity. To witness a masterclass in dog sorrow, one need only look a past film. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by Gus the Dog, would struggle adapting to life in two homes. Whether this premise a full holiday film on this conflict is sustainable is debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, written by the writing duo and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than its premise. It functions as a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the depth is limited. The plot is destined to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will surely realize the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Visually has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by flurries clinging to verdant foliage as North Carolina doubles as the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
If these familiar elements come together into something enjoyable rests upon the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who seek out for pet content. Audiences receive a series of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is Merv himself, and though it results in some clunky cuts between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
This level of success is not earned for the romantic plot. The tone shifts uneasily between relationship drama, broad humor, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, not quite landing any one mode. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward required by the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that offers much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. The character can feel a touch too detached, particularly when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog succeeds in looking despondent – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, given that Merv is undoubtedly the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their separation might seem more nuanced with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting every expected note. Making a film with this canine conflict is not terrible – but it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
