It is a widely held belief in certain circles that jointly caring for a pet following a split is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such setups impede ex-partners from moving forward, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating across the board. As it turns out, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the mental health of our pets – many owners observe their profound sensitivity. If you need standout portrayal in canine melancholy, consider a past film. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog played by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time coping with split households. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom around this situation is sustainable seems rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than its premise. It functions as a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the complexity are modest. Its storyline is destined to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. The film's look has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – think flurries piled on verdant foliage as North Carolina substitutes for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these standard ingredients merge into something enjoyable rests upon the execution and one's taste for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who browse regularly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is Merv himself, and while this leads to some awkward editing between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, dog depression, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Human Element
This level of success cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The tone wavers between serious study, zany antics, formulaic romance, and silly gags, failing to master any one mode. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward required by the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that provides much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal comes across as a bit too dry, notably when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Merv himself is convincing at flopping and whining – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, given that Merv is undoubtedly the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The cause for the split could have been more grounded and mature with less exposition and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting all its marks. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – but I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video this December.
