It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that jointly caring for a pet post-separation is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such situations prevent individuals from moving forward, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Apparently, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to become depressed.
While respecting the inner life of dogs – pet parents speak of their remarkable empathy. To witness a prime example in dog sorrow, consider a past film. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult coping with life in two homes. Whether this premise a full holiday film on such a setup is sustainable seems rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than its premise. We have here a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the ambitions are modest. The narrative unfolds as uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – played by a group of comedic actors – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – think flurries surrounding verdant foliage as a summer location stands in for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
How these familiar elements merge into something enjoyable rests upon the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who scroll endlessly for dog videos. Audiences receive a series of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the canine star, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between animal action and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Human Element
The same praise cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The tone wavers between serious study, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a single genre. This is not Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny required by the dog resort scenario. He brings a charming humility that offers much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. The character seems a touch too detached, notably when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Merv himself manages flopping and whining – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to add substance to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, given that the dog is undoubtedly the best part of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for the split would feel more nuanced with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting every expected note. Making a film with this canine conflict has potential – but it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video on December 10th.
