It is a common warning for numerous people that jointly caring for a dog after a breakup is a terrible idea. Most will argue such setups impede individuals from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance across the board. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the canine in question to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of dogs – pet parents speak of their profound sensitivity. For a masterclass in dog sorrow, simply recall recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time coping with split households. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom around this situation holds water remains rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, written by its screenwriters and directed by director Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than a light film. We have here a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity are modest. The plot is destined to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – played by a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – as seen in obvious snow effects clinging to verdant foliage as a warm climate substitutes for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
How these predictable parts merge into a pleasant experience rests upon the actors' work and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – individuals who scroll endlessly for pet content. It provides a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the dog, and even if it causes some awkward editing between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie delivers on canine party antics, pet moping, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise cannot be applied for the human side of the story. Its style wavers between emotional depth, broad humor, formulaic romance, and silly gags, failing to master a consistent feel. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny required by the bizarre setting. He brings a endearing lack of ego that supplies much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. The character comes across as a touch too detached, particularly when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog succeeds in looking despondent – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to add substance to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, considering the title character is easily the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The reason for their original breakup might seem more nuanced with less exposition and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling all its marks. Creating a movie with this canine conflict has potential – though I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform this December.
