This is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that jointly caring for a canine companion after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such setups hinder former couples from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for all parties. Apparently, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to feel down.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of our pets – many owners speak of their profound sensitivity. If you need standout portrayal in pet despair, one need only look recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adjusting to split households. The idea of basing a full holiday film around this situation works effectively seems a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than a light film. It functions as a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity is limited. Its storyline unfolds as simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look is reminiscent of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – think fake snow piled on green trees as a summer location doubles as a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these standard ingredients coalesce into a pleasant experience depends on the strength of the performances and one's taste for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – those people who browse regularly for pet content. Audiences receive a series of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the canine star, and though it results in some awkward editing between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie does offer walking sequences, dog depression, and, in the end, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness does not extend for the human side of the story. The tone wavers between emotional depth, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and silly gags, failing to master any one mode. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny inherent in the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that supplies much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal can feel a bit too dry, especially when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself manages flopping and whining – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to add substance to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, given that the dog is undoubtedly the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The cause for their original breakup would feel more grounded and mature with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting every expected note. Creating a movie with this canine conflict is not terrible – though it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video this December.
