This is a common warning among many that jointly caring for a canine companion following a split is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such situations impede former couples from finding closure, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and are a nuisance across the board. Apparently, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it also makes our furry friends to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the mental health of animals – pet parents attest to their remarkable empathy. If you need prime example in pet despair, consider another performance. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adapting to split households. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on this conflict holds water is a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by the writing duo and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than a light film. It functions as a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the complexity remains surface-level. The narrative proves to be simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – think obvious snow effects surrounding green trees as a summer location stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
If these predictable parts merge into a pleasant experience depends on the execution and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who browse regularly for dog videos. Audiences receive a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the canine star, and though it results in some awkward editing between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness is not earned for the human side of the story. The film's approach shifts uneasily between emotional depth, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and silly gags, not quite landing any one mode. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward required by the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that provides much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal comes across as a touch too detached, especially when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Gus the Dog is convincing at looking despondent – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to give weight to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, since the title character is by far the cutest element of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their separation could have been more nuanced with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling every expected note. Creating a movie with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – even if it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video this December.
