It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that jointly caring for a dog after a breakup is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such setups hinder ex-partners from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Seemingly, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it also makes our furry friends to become depressed.
While respecting the inner life of animals – many owners speak of their profound sensitivity. To witness a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, simply recall another performance. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adapting to life in two homes. Whether this premise a full holiday film around this situation works effectively seems debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than what it is. We have here a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the depth remains surface-level. The plot proves to be straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – as seen in fake snow clinging to verdant foliage as a summer location doubles as a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these familiar elements merge into a pleasant experience depends on the actors' work and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who browse regularly for dog videos. Audiences receive a plethora of adorable dog montages. The central draw is Merv himself, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The tone shifts uneasily between serious study, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a single genre. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward demanded of the bizarre setting. He brings a charming humility that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. The character comes across as a bit too dry, notably when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Merv himself is convincing at acting depressed – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, since Merv is by far the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The reason for their separation would feel more adult and realistic with more screen time and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling all its marks. Creating a movie with this canine conflict has potential – even if it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform this December.
