This is a widely held belief in certain circles that jointly caring for a canine companion following a split is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such situations hinder ex-partners from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and become annoying for all parties. Seemingly, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to become depressed.
While respecting the inner life of dogs – many owners observe their profound sensitivity. For a masterclass in pet despair, simply recall another performance. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adapting to life in two homes. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on such a setup works effectively is debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of director Swale, never aspires to be deeper than a light film. This is a holiday release from a corporate studio – the ambitions remains surface-level. Its storyline is destined to be straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. 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 – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic has the quality of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – as seen in fake snow clinging to verdant foliage as North Carolina substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
If these predictable parts merge into a pleasant experience rests upon the strength of the performances and one's taste for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – those people who browse regularly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the canine star, and while this leads to some awkward editing between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the human side of the story. Its style vacillates between emotional depth, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, not quite landing any one mode. This is not Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward required by the dog resort scenario. He brings a endearing lack of ego that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. The character seems a little too aloof, notably when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Gus the Dog manages flopping and whining – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, considering the dog is by far the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their separation could have been more adult and realistic with less exposition and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film with this canine conflict has potential – but it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
