It is a common warning among many that jointly caring for a canine companion post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such situations impede ex-partners from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and are a nuisance across the board. Seemingly, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of dogs – countless people attest to their deep emotional capacity. To witness a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, simply recall a past film. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog played by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on this conflict holds water is debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than what it is. We have here a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions is limited. The narrative is destined to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – played by a group of comedic actors – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look carries the feel of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – as seen in obvious snow effects piled on green trees as North Carolina substitutes for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these familiar elements coalesce into something enjoyable depends on the actors' work and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – the kind who scroll endlessly for pet content. The film delivers a plethora of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the dog, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between animal action and people's faces, the movie does offer dog beach fun, dog depression, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
This level of success does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The tone vacillates between emotional depth, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, failing to master any one mode. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is fully game the humiliating and funny demanded of the unusual premise. His performance contains a charming humility that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her Anna seems a bit too dry, notably when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, the canine performer manages looking despondent – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still an excellent dog.)
The story strives to provide depth to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, given that the title character is undoubtedly the cutest element of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their original breakup might seem more grounded and mature with more screen time and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting every expected note. Making a film on this shared-custody premise has potential – though it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
