It is a common warning in certain circles that jointly caring for a pet after a breakup is ill-advised. Most will argue such setups impede former couples from moving forward, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and become annoying across the board. Apparently, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to feel down.
Not to downplay the mental health of dogs – many owners observe their profound sensitivity. To witness a prime example in canine melancholy, simply recall recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adjusting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a full holiday film on such a setup holds water remains rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and directed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than what it is. We have here a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the complexity is limited. The narrative proves to be straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will surely rediscover the idea that they are better together. Side characters – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – think flurries clinging to lush pines as a warm climate stands in for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these familiar elements 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 – those people who scroll endlessly for pet content. The film delivers a plethora of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is Merv himself, and while this leads to some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The tone shifts uneasily between serious study, broad humor, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, failing to master a consistent feel. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward demanded of the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that provides much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal comes across as a touch too detached, especially when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, the canine performer succeeds in flopping and whining – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, since the dog is by far the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The reason for their original breakup could have been more adult and realistic with less exposition and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting every expected note. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – even if it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video this December.
