It is a widely held belief among many that jointly caring for a canine companion following a split is a terrible idea. Most will argue such arrangements impede individuals from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and become annoying for all parties. As it turns out, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the mental health of dogs – many owners attest to their deep emotional capacity. If you need masterclass in canine melancholy, consider recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time coping with divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on such a setup holds water remains a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than its premise. We have here a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth remains surface-level. The plot unfolds as simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – played by familiar faces – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look is reminiscent of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – as seen in fake snow clinging to verdant foliage as North Carolina substitutes for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
If these standard ingredients merge into an entertaining watch rests upon the actors' work and one's taste for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a plethora of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the dog, and even if it causes some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie does offer canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The tone vacillates between serious study, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, failing to master any one mode. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the humiliating and funny inherent in the unusual premise. He brings a endearing lack of ego that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna can feel a little too aloof, particularly when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog succeeds in acting depressed – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, given that the dog is easily the best part of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their original breakup could have been more adult and realistic with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – but it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video this December.
