It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that jointly caring for a pet following a split is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such setups hinder former couples from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for all parties. Apparently, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Not to downplay the mental health of dogs – pet parents observe their remarkable empathy. If you need masterclass in pet despair, simply recall another performance. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adapting to split households. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on such a setup works effectively seems debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than what it is. It functions as a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions is limited. Its storyline is destined to be straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, take 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 – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually has the quality of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – think obvious snow effects clinging to lush pines as North Carolina substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
How these standard ingredients coalesce into something enjoyable depends on the actors' work and one's taste for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who seek out for pet content. It provides a plethora of adorable dog montages. The central draw is Merv himself, and though it results in some clunky cuts between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, pet moping, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success does not extend for the human side of the story. Its style shifts uneasily between serious study, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to any one mode. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the absurd and awkward inherent in the unusual premise. He brings a endearing lack of ego that supplies much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna can feel a bit too dry, especially when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Merv himself manages acting depressed – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The story strives to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, given that the dog is by far the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their separation could have been more grounded and mature with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling all its marks. Making a film with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – even if it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video this December.
