It is a widely held belief among many that jointly caring for a pet after a breakup is a terrible idea. Most will argue such arrangements prevent individuals from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and become annoying for everyone involved. As it turns out, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it also makes our furry friends to feel down.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of our pets – countless people attest to their profound sensitivity. For a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, one need only look another performance. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog brought to life by Gus the Dog, would struggle adapting to divided living arrangements. If this concept a feature-length romcom on this conflict is sustainable seems rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than a light film. We have here a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the depth are modest. Its storyline unfolds as straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge 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 presumably rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – think obvious snow effects piled on lush pines as a warm climate substitutes for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
How these familiar elements coalesce into a pleasant experience depends on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – the kind who scroll endlessly for pet content. The film delivers a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the dog, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between animal action and people's faces, the movie delivers on canine party antics, pet moping, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The tone shifts uneasily between emotional depth, zany antics, formulaic romance, and silly gags, not quite landing a consistent feel. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is fully game the humiliating and funny inherent in the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that provides much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna comes across as a touch too detached, especially when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog is convincing at looking despondent – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to give weight to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, since the title character is easily the best part of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The reason for their original breakup might seem more adult and realistic with more screen time and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling all its marks. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – but it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video this December.
