This is a common warning among many that jointly caring for a pet following a split is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such situations impede former couples from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and become annoying across the board. Seemingly, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to become depressed.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of animals – many owners speak of their deep emotional capacity. To witness a masterclass in pet despair, one need only look a past film. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adapting to life in two homes. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom around this situation holds water seems rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. We have here a holiday release from a corporate studio – the ambitions is limited. The plot proves to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – as seen in flurries piled on verdant foliage as North Carolina substitutes for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these familiar elements merge into an entertaining watch depends on the strength of the performances and one's taste for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who seek out for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a plethora of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the canine star, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between animal action and human reaction, the movie does offer walking sequences, pet moping, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success is not earned for the human side of the story. The tone vacillates between serious study, zany antics, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a single genre. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe required by the bizarre setting. He brings a endearing lack of ego that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal can feel a bit too dry, particularly when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, the canine performer is convincing at flopping and whining – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a very good boy.)
The film attempts to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, given that the dog is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their original breakup would feel more grounded and mature with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling every expected note. Crafting a story with this canine conflict is not terrible – though it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
