This is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that jointly caring for a pet after a breakup is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such situations impede individuals from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and become annoying across the board. As it turns out, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes our furry friends to become depressed.
Without minimizing the mental health of dogs – pet parents observe their profound sensitivity. To witness a masterclass in pet despair, consider another performance. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle coping with life in two homes. If this concept a full holiday film on this conflict holds water is rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, written by its screenwriters and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than its premise. This is a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions remains surface-level. The narrative is destined to be straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will surely realize the idea that they are better together. Side characters – played by familiar faces – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic has the quality of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by flurries surrounding verdant foliage as a warm climate stands in for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
If these familiar elements merge into something enjoyable hinges on the strength of the performances and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the canine star, and though it results in some stilted moments between animal action and human reaction, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, dog depression, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness is not earned for the romantic plot. The film's approach vacillates between serious study, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to any one mode. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny demanded of the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her Anna comes across as a touch too detached, particularly when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Merv himself succeeds in flopping and whining – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, since the dog is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The cause for their original breakup would feel more nuanced with more screen time and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling all its marks. Making a film on this shared-custody premise has potential – even if I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video starting December 10.
