This is a common warning among many that jointly caring for a dog after a breakup is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such situations hinder ex-partners from healing, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and become annoying across the board. As it turns out, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the inner life of our pets – countless people observe their remarkable empathy. For a prime example in canine melancholy, consider a past film. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time coping with divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom around this situation holds water remains debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and directed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than a light film. This is a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the depth are modest. The plot unfolds as simple and direct: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will surely realize the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – featuring familiar faces – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – as seen in obvious snow effects surrounding verdant foliage as a warm climate doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these standard ingredients coalesce into a pleasant experience hinges on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a series of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the canine star, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on canine party antics, dog depression, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Human Element
The same praise cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. Its style wavers between relationship drama, zany antics, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a single genre. This is not Cox's performance, who is fully game the absurd and awkward required by the unusual premise. He brings a endearing lack of ego that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her Anna seems a bit too dry, notably when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog is convincing at looking despondent – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, considering the title character is easily the best part of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their original breakup would feel more adult and realistic with more screen time and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling every expected note. Making a film with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – even if it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
