It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that jointly caring for a canine companion after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such arrangements prevent ex-partners from healing, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and are a nuisance across the board. Seemingly, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to feel down.
Not to downplay the inner life of our pets – countless people observe their remarkable empathy. For a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, consider a past film. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adjusting to divided living arrangements. If this concept a feature-length romcom on this conflict is sustainable seems rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and directed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than its premise. We have here a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity are modest. Its storyline is destined to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will surely realize the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – featuring a group of comedic actors – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually is reminiscent of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – exemplified by obvious snow effects piled on green trees as a warm climate doubles as a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
How these familiar elements come together into a pleasant experience rests upon the actors' work and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who browse regularly for cute animal clips. It provides a series of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the dog, and even if it causes some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
This level of success is not earned for the romantic plot. The tone vacillates between relationship drama, zany antics, formulaic romance, and silly gags, never fully committing to a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe inherent in the unusual premise. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna comes across as a little too aloof, especially when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Gus the Dog succeeds in looking despondent – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still an excellent dog.)
The story strives to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, considering the dog is easily the cutest element of this film designed for charm. 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. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting every expected note. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – even if it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
