This is a widely held belief among many that jointly caring for a pet following a split is ill-advised. Most will argue such situations hinder ex-partners from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Apparently, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it also makes our furry friends to experience sadness.
While respecting the emotional well-being of dogs – many owners attest to their remarkable empathy. For a prime example in dog sorrow, consider a past film. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adapting to split households. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on such a setup is sustainable seems rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than its premise. We have here a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions is limited. Its storyline proves to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – played by a group of comedic actors – serve as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – think obvious snow effects surrounding lush pines as North Carolina substitutes for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
If these predictable parts come together into a pleasant experience hinges on the actors' work and one's taste for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who scroll endlessly for pet content. Audiences receive a series of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the dog, and even if it causes some stilted moments between animal action and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, pet moping, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise is not earned for the romantic plot. The tone shifts uneasily between emotional depth, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, not quite landing a consistent feel. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the humiliating and funny demanded of the unusual premise. He brings a charming humility that supplies much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna can feel a little too aloof, notably when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog manages acting depressed – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, considering Merv is by far the best part of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for the split would feel more nuanced with more screen time and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Making a film about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – though it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
