This is a common warning for numerous people that jointly caring for a dog after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such situations hinder ex-partners from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for all parties. Seemingly, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to feel down.
Not to downplay the inner life of animals – countless people attest to their remarkable empathy. If you need standout portrayal in dog sorrow, 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 coping with split households. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on this conflict is sustainable seems rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, the work of the writing duo and directed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than a light film. It functions as a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the ambitions is limited. The plot is destined to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will presumably realize the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – think flurries surrounding lush pines as a warm climate doubles as the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these predictable parts merge into an entertaining watch rests upon the actors' work and an acceptance of comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who seek out for cute animal clips. The film delivers a series of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is Merv himself, and even if it causes some awkward editing between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie delivers on canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness is not earned for the human side of the story. The tone wavers between relationship drama, broad humor, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, failing to master a consistent feel. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the humiliating and funny required by the bizarre setting. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal comes across as a bit too dry, especially when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Merv himself manages looking despondent – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a very good boy.)
The story strives to give weight to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, since Merv is by far the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The reason for the split might seem more nuanced with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling every expected note. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting is not terrible – even if I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
