It is a common warning for numerous people that jointly caring for a canine companion post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such situations hinder individuals from healing, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Seemingly, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of animals – pet parents attest to their deep emotional capacity. If you need prime example in dog sorrow, one need only look recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adjusting to split households. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on such a setup holds water seems rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than what it is. This is a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the depth remains surface-level. The plot unfolds as straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – as seen in fake snow surrounding verdant foliage as North Carolina substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
How these familiar elements come together into a pleasant experience hinges on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – individuals who seek out for cute animal clips. The film delivers a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the canine star, and even if it causes some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie does offer canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success does not extend for the human side of the story. The film's approach wavers between serious study, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, failing to master any one mode. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe required by the dog resort scenario. He brings a endearing lack of ego that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal comes across as a little too aloof, notably when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, the canine performer manages acting depressed – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, since the dog is easily the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for the split would feel more adult and realistic with more screen time and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – though it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
