It is a common warning for numerous people that sharing custody a pet after a breakup is a terrible idea. Most will argue such situations impede individuals from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and become annoying for everyone involved. Seemingly, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to feel down.
While respecting the emotional well-being of animals – many owners attest to their deep emotional capacity. If you need masterclass in pet despair, consider recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time coping with split households. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on this conflict is sustainable seems a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than a light film. We have here a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth is limited. The plot is destined to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will surely rediscover the idea that they are better together. Side characters – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as the usual assortment of types. The film's look has the quality of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – think flurries piled on lush pines as North Carolina substitutes for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
How these predictable parts come together into a pleasant experience rests upon the execution and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who seek out for pet content. It provides a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is Merv himself, and even if it causes some awkward editing between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie does offer walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The film's approach wavers between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, never fully committing to any one mode. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is fully game the silliness and cringe demanded of the unusual premise. His performance contains a charming humility that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her Anna can feel a touch too detached, particularly when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Merv himself is convincing at looking despondent – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to give weight to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, considering Merv is undoubtedly the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their original breakup would feel more grounded and mature with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting all its marks. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting is not terrible – though it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
