This is a common warning for numerous people that jointly caring for a canine companion after a breakup is a terrible idea. Most will argue such situations hinder former couples from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance across the board. As it turns out, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to become depressed.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of dogs – pet parents observe their deep emotional capacity. If you need standout portrayal in canine melancholy, consider recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on this conflict works effectively is debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, written by the writing duo and directed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than its premise. It functions as a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the depth is limited. The narrative is destined to be uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – featuring a group of comedic actors – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually carries the feel of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – think flurries clinging to verdant foliage as a warm climate stands in for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these predictable parts coalesce into a pleasant experience depends on the actors' work and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who scroll endlessly for pet content. It provides a series of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the dog, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success does not extend for the romantic plot. The tone shifts uneasily between relationship drama, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, failing to master a single genre. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward inherent in the bizarre setting. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. The character comes across as a bit too dry, especially when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Gus the Dog succeeds in flopping and whining – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to give weight to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, considering the title character is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their original breakup might seem more nuanced with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting all its marks. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – but it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Prime Video on December 10th.
