It is a widely held belief in certain circles that jointly caring for a pet post-separation is a terrible idea. Most will argue such arrangements impede former couples from healing, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and become annoying across the board. Apparently, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to feel down.
Not to downplay the mental health of animals – countless people speak of their remarkable empathy. For a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, consider recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by Gus the Dog, would struggle coping with split households. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on this conflict works effectively seems rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than what it is. It functions as a holiday release from a corporate studio – the depth remains surface-level. Its storyline unfolds as uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually has the quality of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by flurries piled on lush pines as a warm climate substitutes for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these standard ingredients merge into an entertaining watch rests upon the actors' work and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – the kind who browse regularly for dog videos. Audiences receive a series of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the canine star, and though it results in some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, dog depression, and, finally, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise is not earned for the romantic plot. The tone wavers between relationship drama, zany antics, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, 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. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that offers much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal comes across as a bit too dry, especially when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Merv himself succeeds in acting depressed – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, considering Merv is by far the best part of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for the split might seem more nuanced with less exposition and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting all its marks. Making a film on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – even if I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform this December.
