It is a widely held belief among many that jointly caring for a pet following a split is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such arrangements prevent ex-partners from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Apparently, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of animals – countless people speak of their deep emotional capacity. If you need standout portrayal in canine melancholy, consider another performance. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to split households. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on such a setup works effectively is a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than its premise. It functions as a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the depth is limited. Its storyline unfolds as uncomplicated: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will surely rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – played by a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually carries the feel of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – think fake snow surrounding green trees as a summer location substitutes for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
If these standard ingredients merge into a pleasant experience hinges on the execution and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – those people who browse regularly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a series of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the canine star, and though it results in some stilted moments between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie does offer canine party antics, dog depression, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Human Element
This level of success cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The tone vacillates between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, not quite landing any one mode. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe inherent in the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. The character comes across as a bit too dry, notably when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Merv himself manages acting depressed – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to add substance to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, considering the title character is undoubtedly the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their separation could have been more grounded and mature with more screen time and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling every expected note. Making a film with this canine conflict is not terrible – but it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video this December.
