This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that jointly caring for a dog after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such situations hinder individuals from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and become annoying for everyone involved. As it turns out, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to experience sadness.
While respecting the emotional well-being of dogs – countless people speak of their profound sensitivity. For a prime example in dog sorrow, one need only look recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adapting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on this conflict is sustainable remains debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, written by the writing duo and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than its premise. We have here a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity remains surface-level. Its storyline proves to be straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – including familiar faces – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually is reminiscent of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – think fake snow piled on verdant foliage as North Carolina doubles as a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
If these familiar elements merge into a pleasant experience hinges on the execution and one's taste for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – individuals who seek out for pet content. The film delivers a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the dog, and though it results in some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, dog depression, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness is not earned for the human side of the story. The tone wavers between emotional depth, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe inherent in the bizarre setting. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that offers much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal seems a touch too detached, especially when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Gus the Dog is convincing at looking despondent – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The film attempts to give weight to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, considering the title character is by far the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for the split would feel more nuanced with more screen time and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling every expected note. Creating a movie with this canine conflict is not terrible – even if I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
