It is a common warning in certain circles that jointly caring for a pet after a breakup is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such setups hinder former couples from moving forward, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and become annoying for everyone involved. Apparently, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to become depressed.
While respecting the inner life of our pets – pet parents observe their profound sensitivity. For a masterclass in dog sorrow, one need only look recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog played by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adapting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom around this situation is sustainable is rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, the work of the writing duo and under the guidance of director Swale, never aspires to be anything more than what it is. It functions as a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the depth are modest. The plot proves to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. The film's look carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – as seen in flurries clinging to verdant foliage as a summer location doubles as a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
If these predictable parts come together into something enjoyable depends on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who browse regularly for dog videos. Audiences receive a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the dog, and though it results in some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie delivers on canine party antics, dog depression, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise is not earned for the human side of the story. The film's approach vacillates between relationship drama, zany antics, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, failing to master a single genre. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe inherent in the dog resort scenario. He brings a endearing lack of ego that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. The character seems a bit too dry, especially when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Merv himself is convincing at flopping and whining – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a very good boy.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, since Merv is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for the split could have been more nuanced with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling every expected note. Making a film on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – though I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform this December.
