It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that jointly caring for a canine companion following a split is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such arrangements hinder former couples from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and become annoying for everyone involved. As it turns out, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the inner life of dogs – many owners observe their profound sensitivity. For a masterclass in dog sorrow, one need only look a past film. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog portrayed by Gus the Dog, would struggle coping with life in two homes. If this concept a feature-length romcom on this conflict holds water seems debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than its premise. It functions as a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions is limited. The plot is destined to be straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will surely rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look has the quality of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – think flurries surrounding green trees as a warm climate stands in for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
How these predictable parts come together into something enjoyable depends on the execution and an acceptance of comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who browse regularly for pet content. Audiences receive a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the dog, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, pet moping, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The tone vacillates between emotional depth, broad humor, predictable love story, and silly gags, not quite landing a single genre. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward inherent in the unusual premise. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna can feel a little too aloof, particularly when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Merv himself manages acting depressed – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, considering the dog is easily the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The reason for the split could have been more nuanced with greater exploration 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 – even if it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
