It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that jointly caring for a pet after a breakup is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such arrangements hinder individuals from moving forward, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and are a nuisance across the board. As it turns out, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to become depressed.
While respecting the inner life of animals – countless people speak of their remarkable empathy. For a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, simply recall another performance. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adapting to life in two homes. If this concept a full holiday film on this conflict holds water is rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, written by the writing duo and directed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than its premise. It functions as a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions are modest. Its storyline proves to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look carries the feel of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – exemplified by fake snow clinging to lush pines as North Carolina doubles as the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
How these predictable parts come together into something enjoyable hinges on the execution and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – the kind who seek out for pet content. It provides a plethora of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the dog, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on canine party antics, dog depression, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness does not extend for the romantic plot. The tone shifts uneasily between serious study, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a single genre. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny required by the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. The character seems a touch too detached, notably when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, the canine performer is convincing at looking despondent – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still an excellent dog.)
The story strives to give weight to the central romance for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, considering the title character is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their original breakup would feel more nuanced with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – though it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
