This is a widely held belief for numerous people that jointly caring for a dog following a split is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such situations prevent ex-partners from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and become annoying for everyone involved. Apparently, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to feel down.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of animals – countless people observe their remarkable empathy. If you need masterclass in pet despair, consider a past film. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to life in two homes. If this concept a feature-length romcom on such a setup holds water is debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, written by the writing duo and helmed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than its premise. It functions as a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions are modest. The plot proves to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will surely realize the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic has the quality of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – think obvious snow effects piled on green trees as North Carolina stands in for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these predictable parts come together into a pleasant experience depends on the execution and an acceptance of easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who seek out for cute animal clips. It provides a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the canine star, and though it results in some awkward editing between animal action and people's faces, the movie does offer canine party antics, dog depression, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
This level of success is not earned for the human side of the story. The film's approach shifts uneasily between emotional depth, zany antics, predictable love story, and physical comedy, failing to master any one mode. This is not Charlie Cox, who is fully game the absurd and awkward inherent in the bizarre setting. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that supplies much of the film's charm 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. The character can feel a bit too dry, particularly when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Merv himself is convincing at flopping and whining – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains an excellent dog.)
The story strives to provide depth to the central romance for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, since the title character is undoubtedly the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The cause for the split would feel more nuanced with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting every expected note. Crafting a story with this canine conflict is not terrible – but it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Prime Video on December 10th.
