This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that co-parenting a canine companion after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such situations prevent ex-partners from healing, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and become annoying across the board. As it turns out, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to feel down.
Not to downplay the inner life of animals – countless people observe their deep emotional capacity. For a masterclass in pet despair, simply recall recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adjusting to life in two homes. Whether this premise a full holiday film on such a setup holds water remains debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than what it is. We have here a holiday release from a corporate studio – the complexity are modest. The plot unfolds as uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – as seen in flurries surrounding green trees as North Carolina substitutes for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these predictable parts merge into a pleasant experience rests upon the actors' work and an acceptance of comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who scroll endlessly for pet content. Audiences receive a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the canine star, and even if it causes some stilted moments between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie does offer canine party antics, pet moping, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise is not earned for the interpersonal drama. Its style shifts uneasily between emotional depth, zany antics, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, failing to master any one mode. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward demanded of the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. The character comes across as a touch too detached, notably when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog manages looking despondent – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, since the title character is by far the best part of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their original breakup would feel more adult and realistic with more screen time and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film with this canine conflict has potential – but it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video starting December 10.
