It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that jointly caring for a canine companion after a breakup is a terrible idea. Most will argue such situations hinder ex-partners from healing, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and become annoying for all parties. Apparently, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of animals – pet parents attest to their profound sensitivity. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, consider a past film. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by Gus the Dog, would struggle coping with split households. Whether this premise a full holiday film on such a setup holds water seems a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than what it is. It functions as a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions remains surface-level. The narrative proves to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – featuring a group of comedic actors – serve as the usual assortment of types. Visually carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – exemplified by flurries piled on verdant foliage as a summer location stands in for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
How these familiar elements coalesce into an entertaining watch rests upon the strength of the performances and an acceptance of easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – those people who seek out for dog videos. Audiences receive a series of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is Merv himself, and while this leads to some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
The same praise is not earned for the human side of the story. Its style vacillates between emotional depth, broad humor, formulaic romance, and silly gags, not quite landing a consistent feel. This is not Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward required by the bizarre setting. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal seems a touch too detached, particularly when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog is convincing at looking despondent – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to add substance to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, considering the dog is easily the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for the split would feel more adult and realistic with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting all its marks. Creating a movie with this canine conflict has potential – even if it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform this December.
