This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that jointly caring for a canine companion following a split is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such situations impede individuals from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and become annoying across the board. Apparently, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to feel down.
Not to downplay the inner life of animals – countless people observe their remarkable empathy. To witness a masterclass in dog sorrow, one need only look a past film. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult coping with divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a full holiday film on such a setup works effectively seems debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of director Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than its premise. It functions as a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity remains surface-level. The narrative unfolds as uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Side characters – played by familiar faces – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. The film's look has the quality of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by fake snow clinging to green trees as a summer location doubles as a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
How these familiar elements coalesce into something enjoyable hinges on the strength of the performances and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who browse regularly for cute animal clips. It provides a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the canine star, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between animal action and people's faces, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
The same praise does not extend for the human side of the story. The film's approach shifts uneasily between relationship drama, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, not quite landing a single genre. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward required by the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her Anna seems a touch too detached, notably when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, the canine performer manages looking despondent – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, since Merv is easily the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for the split could have been more grounded and mature with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film with this canine conflict is not terrible – even if I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
