It is a common warning in certain circles that jointly caring for a dog after a breakup is a terrible idea. Most will argue such setups prevent ex-partners from healing, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for all parties. Seemingly, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it also makes our furry friends to become depressed.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of dogs – many owners speak of their deep emotional capacity. To witness a prime example in pet despair, consider recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time coping with split households. If this concept a feature-length romcom on this conflict works effectively seems debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than its premise. This is a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions is limited. The narrative proves to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – played by a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – as seen in flurries surrounding green trees as a summer location substitutes for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
If these standard ingredients merge into an entertaining watch hinges on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who seek out for pet content. Audiences receive a plethora of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the canine star, and though it results in some stilted moments between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The tone vacillates between emotional depth, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and physical comedy, not quite landing a consistent feel. This is not Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe demanded of the unusual premise. He brings a endearing lack of ego that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal can feel a touch too detached, particularly when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog manages looking despondent – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the central romance for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, considering Merv is undoubtedly the best part of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for the split could have been more nuanced with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film with this canine conflict has potential – but it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video this December.
