It is a common warning among many that jointly caring for a canine companion following a split is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such arrangements hinder individuals from healing, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for all parties. Apparently, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to feel down.
While respecting the inner life of our pets – pet parents attest to their deep emotional capacity. If you need prime example in canine melancholy, consider another performance. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time coping with divided living arrangements. If this concept a feature-length romcom around this situation is sustainable remains rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. This is a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the ambitions are modest. The plot unfolds as simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – played by familiar faces – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look has the quality of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – exemplified by obvious snow effects surrounding lush pines as North Carolina doubles as the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
If these familiar elements come together into something enjoyable rests upon the strength of the performances and an acceptance of comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – those people who seek out for cute animal clips. The film delivers a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is Merv himself, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between animal action and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, dog depression, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The tone shifts uneasily between emotional depth, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and silly gags, not quite landing a consistent feel. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny inherent in 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. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her Anna comes across as a little too aloof, notably when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Merv himself is convincing at acting depressed – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, considering Merv is easily the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for the split might seem more nuanced with less exposition and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting every expected note. Making a film with this canine conflict is not terrible – but it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform this December.
