This is a widely held belief for numerous people that jointly caring for a dog after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such setups prevent former couples from finding closure, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Apparently, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to feel down.
Without minimizing the mental health of dogs – pet parents speak of their deep emotional capacity. If you need masterclass in dog sorrow, simply recall another performance. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adjusting to split households. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom around this situation works effectively seems debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, written by the writing duo and helmed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than its premise. We have here a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the complexity remains surface-level. Its storyline unfolds as simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – played by familiar faces – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic has the quality of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by obvious snow effects surrounding green trees as a summer location doubles as a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these standard ingredients coalesce into an entertaining watch hinges on the actors' work and one's taste for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who browse regularly for dog videos. The film delivers a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the dog, and while this leads to some awkward editing between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, dog depression, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness does not extend for the romantic plot. The film's approach vacillates between emotional depth, broad humor, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, failing to master a consistent feel. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward inherent in the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a charming humility that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna comes across as a little too aloof, especially when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Merv himself is convincing at acting depressed – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a very good boy.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, since the title character is undoubtedly the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their separation would feel more adult and realistic with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – though it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform this December.
