It is a common warning for numerous people that jointly caring for a dog after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such setups impede individuals from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to become depressed.
Not to downplay the inner life of our pets – countless people observe their profound sensitivity. For a prime example in canine melancholy, one need only look recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog played by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adapting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on this conflict works effectively seems a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. We have here a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth remains surface-level. The plot is destined to be uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as the usual assortment of types. The film's look is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – think fake snow piled on green trees as a summer location substitutes for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
If these predictable parts merge into an entertaining watch hinges on the actors' work and one's taste for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who browse regularly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a plethora of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the dog, and while this leads to some stilted moments between animal action and people's faces, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise does not extend for the human side of the story. The tone shifts uneasily between emotional depth, zany antics, formulaic romance, and silly gags, never fully committing to a single genre. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward demanded of the bizarre setting. He brings a likable self-deprecation that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. The character comes across as a touch too detached, particularly when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, the canine performer succeeds in acting depressed – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, considering Merv is undoubtedly the best part of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The reason for their original breakup might seem more adult and realistic with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – but it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform this December.
