It is a widely held belief for numerous people that jointly caring for a pet following a split is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such arrangements impede ex-partners from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Apparently, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to become depressed.
While respecting the mental health of dogs – countless people speak of their remarkable empathy. If you need prime example in dog sorrow, consider a past film. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adapting to split households. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on such a setup holds water seems a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than a light film. It functions as a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions are modest. The narrative proves to be simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic has the quality of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – as seen in flurries clinging to lush pines as a warm climate substitutes for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
How these standard ingredients coalesce into something enjoyable rests upon the strength of the performances and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a plethora of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the canine star, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between animal action and people's faces, the movie does offer dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The tone vacillates between serious study, zany antics, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, failing to master any one mode. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe demanded of the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a charming humility that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna comes across as a touch too detached, especially when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Merv himself succeeds in looking despondent – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, since the title character is easily the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The reason for their separation would feel more grounded and mature with more screen time and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling all its marks. Making a film with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – but I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
