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 arrangements impede ex-partners from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and become annoying across the board. Apparently, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of animals – pet parents speak of their remarkable empathy. If you need prime example in dog sorrow, consider a past film. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog played by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to split households. The idea of basing a full holiday film on such a setup is sustainable remains rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, the work of the writing duo and directed by director Swale, never aspires to be anything more than what it is. We have here a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the depth remains surface-level. The plot unfolds as simple and direct: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – including a group of comedic actors – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. The film's look has the quality of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – as seen in obvious snow effects clinging to verdant foliage as a summer location stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these standard ingredients merge into a pleasant experience depends on the execution and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who seek out for dog videos. It provides a series of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the dog, and though it results in some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie does offer dog beach fun, dog depression, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise cannot be applied for the human side of the story. Its style vacillates between serious study, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to any one mode. This is not Charlie Cox, who is fully game the silliness and cringe required by the dog resort scenario. He brings a charming humility that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her Anna seems a little too aloof, notably when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Merv himself succeeds in looking despondent – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to add substance to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, considering Merv is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their separation might seem more adult and realistic with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – but it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
