It is a common warning among many that jointly caring for a pet after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such setups hinder ex-partners from healing, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for all parties. As it turns out, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the inner life of animals – pet parents observe their deep emotional capacity. If you need prime example in canine melancholy, simply recall recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time coping with split households. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on such a setup is sustainable remains a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and directed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than its premise. It functions as a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the complexity is limited. Its storyline is destined to be uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will presumably realize the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. The film's look is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – think flurries piled on verdant foliage as a summer location substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
If these standard ingredients merge into something enjoyable hinges on the actors' work and an acceptance of easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – those people who seek out for pet content. It provides a wealth of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the dog, and even if it causes some awkward editing between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, dog depression, and, finally, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise does not extend for the human side of the story. The film's approach wavers between relationship drama, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a single genre. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward inherent in the unusual premise. His performance contains a charming humility that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna can feel a bit too dry, notably when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Merv himself succeeds in acting depressed – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, considering the title character is undoubtedly the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for the split would feel more grounded and mature with less exposition and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling every expected note. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – even if it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
