This is a common warning for numerous people that sharing custody a canine companion following a split is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such situations impede individuals from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and become annoying for all parties. Seemingly, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to become depressed.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of our pets – pet parents observe their remarkable empathy. To witness a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, consider recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog brought to life by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adjusting to split households. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom around this situation works effectively remains debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than a light film. We have here a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the depth are modest. Its storyline is destined to be uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – played by a group of comedic actors – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – think fake snow piled on green trees as North Carolina substitutes for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
How these familiar elements coalesce into a pleasant experience rests upon the actors' work and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who browse regularly for dog videos. It provides a series of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the dog, and while this leads to some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie delivers on walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise does not extend for the romantic plot. The film's approach wavers between relationship drama, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and silly gags, failing to master a consistent feel. This is not Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny required by the bizarre setting. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna can feel a touch too detached, particularly when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Gus the Dog is convincing at looking despondent – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains an excellent dog.)
The story strives to add substance to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, considering the dog is easily the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their separation would feel more nuanced with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting every expected note. Creating a movie with this canine conflict is not terrible – but it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video this December.
