This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that sharing custody a canine companion after a breakup is a terrible idea. Most will argue such setups hinder individuals from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. As it turns out, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to become depressed.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of dogs – pet parents attest to their deep emotional capacity. To witness a masterclass in dog sorrow, one need only look another performance. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by Gus the Dog, would struggle adapting to split households. If this concept a feature-length romcom on such a setup works effectively remains a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, written by the writing duo and directed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than what it is. It functions as a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity is limited. The narrative proves to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will surely realize the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – played by a group of comedic actors – serve as the usual assortment of types. Visually has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – exemplified by flurries surrounding lush pines as a summer location doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
If these familiar elements coalesce into a pleasant experience rests upon the execution and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who seek out for dog videos. It provides a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the canine star, and even if it causes some stilted moments between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie does offer canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise is not earned for the interpersonal drama. Its style wavers between relationship drama, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, failing to master a single genre. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the absurd and awkward required by the unusual premise. He brings a charming humility that offers much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna seems a bit too dry, particularly when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, the canine performer succeeds in flopping and whining – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to provide depth to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, considering the dog is easily the best part of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their separation would feel more nuanced with less exposition and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – but it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video this December.
