It is a common warning among many that jointly caring for a canine companion after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such setups impede individuals from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and become annoying for everyone involved. Seemingly, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to feel down.
While respecting the mental health of animals – countless people speak of their remarkable empathy. For a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, consider a past film. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle coping with split households. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on this conflict holds water remains a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than a light film. It functions as a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the complexity are modest. Its storyline proves to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – played by familiar faces – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – as seen in fake snow clinging to green trees as a warm climate doubles as a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these predictable parts coalesce into a pleasant experience hinges on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who browse regularly for dog videos. Audiences receive a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and even if it causes some stilted moments between animal action and human reaction, the movie does offer dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise does not extend for the romantic plot. Its style vacillates between serious study, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a single genre. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe required by the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her Anna comes across as a bit too dry, especially when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, the canine performer is convincing at acting depressed – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, considering Merv is undoubtedly the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for the split might seem more grounded and mature with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, meeting all its marks. Making a film about dog co-parenting has potential – though it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video this December.
