This is a common warning for numerous people that sharing custody a canine companion after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such arrangements hinder ex-partners from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and are a nuisance across the board. As it turns out, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to feel down.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of our pets – many owners attest to their remarkable empathy. If you need standout portrayal in dog sorrow, simply recall a past film. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to split households. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on this conflict holds water is debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, written by its screenwriters and directed by director Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than a light film. It functions as a holiday release from a corporate studio – the ambitions is limited. The plot proves to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – played by a group of comedic actors – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – think obvious snow effects piled on lush pines as a warm climate stands in for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
How these familiar elements come together into something enjoyable hinges on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a plethora of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the canine star, and even if it causes some awkward editing between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, pet moping, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness does not extend for the human side of the story. The tone vacillates between serious study, broad humor, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a consistent feel. This is not Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny inherent in the dog resort scenario. He brings a charming humility that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. The character can feel a touch too detached, particularly when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, the canine performer manages acting depressed – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to give weight to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, since the dog is by far the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their separation could have been more adult and realistic with less exposition and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting all its marks. Crafting a story with this canine conflict has potential – but I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
