This is a common warning for numerous people that sharing custody a canine companion after a breakup is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such setups prevent individuals from healing, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Seemingly, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to become depressed.
Not to downplay the inner life of animals – many owners attest to their deep emotional capacity. For a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, simply recall a past film. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adjusting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on this conflict holds water seems debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than what it is. It functions as a holiday release from a corporate studio – the depth are modest. Its storyline unfolds as uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – including familiar faces – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually carries the feel of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – think fake snow piled on green trees as a summer location stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
If these familiar elements coalesce into an entertaining watch depends on the execution and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the dog, and while this leads to some awkward editing between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, dog depression, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
The same praise cannot be applied for the romantic plot. Its style vacillates between relationship drama, wacky comedy, 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 silliness and cringe required by the bizarre setting. He brings a charming humility that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna seems a touch too detached, particularly when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Merv himself succeeds in looking despondent – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, given that Merv is by far the best part of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their separation might seem more nuanced with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, meeting every expected note. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting has potential – though it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
