This is a widely held belief among many that jointly caring for a pet after a breakup is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such situations impede former couples from moving forward, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and become annoying for all parties. As it turns out, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the canine in question to feel down.
Not to downplay the inner life of dogs – countless people attest to their profound sensitivity. If you need prime example in pet despair, consider a past film. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog played by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adjusting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom around this situation holds water seems debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than what it is. This is a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the depth are modest. Its storyline is destined to be simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will surely realize the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – including a group of comedic actors – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by flurries clinging to green trees as a summer location doubles as a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
How these standard ingredients merge into an entertaining watch depends on the actors' work and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who scroll endlessly for pet content. Audiences receive a plethora of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the dog, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness does not extend for the interpersonal drama. Its style wavers between serious study, broad humor, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, failing to master any one mode. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the silliness and cringe inherent in the unusual premise. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna can feel a bit too dry, particularly when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, the canine performer manages acting depressed – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a very good boy.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, considering the title character is easily the cutest element of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The cause for the split might seem more nuanced with more screen time and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story with this canine conflict is not terrible – though it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video on December 10th.
