This is a widely held belief among many that jointly caring for a dog following a split is a terrible idea. Most will argue such setups hinder ex-partners from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, 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.
Not to downplay the inner life of dogs – pet parents observe their remarkable empathy. If you need standout portrayal in dog sorrow, simply recall another performance. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adjusting to split households. If this concept a full holiday film on this conflict is sustainable is debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. We have here a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity are modest. The plot is destined to be simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – including a group of comedic actors – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – as seen in obvious snow effects surrounding verdant foliage as North Carolina substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
How these familiar elements coalesce into a pleasant experience depends on the execution and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who seek out for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and though it results in some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, pet moping, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The tone vacillates between relationship drama, broad humor, predictable love story, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a consistent feel. This is not Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe required by the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. The character seems a bit too dry, particularly when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, the canine performer manages looking despondent – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to add substance to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, since the title character is easily the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their original breakup might seem more nuanced with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Making a film with this canine conflict has potential – but it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video on December 10th.
