It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that jointly caring for a pet post-separation is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such situations prevent former couples from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for all parties. As it turns out, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to become depressed.
While respecting the inner life of animals – many owners attest to their deep emotional capacity. If you need standout portrayal in canine melancholy, one need only look a past film. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to split households. If this concept a feature-length romcom on such a setup works effectively seems a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than its premise. It functions as a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions is limited. The narrative is destined to be straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – featuring familiar faces – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. The film's look has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by obvious snow effects surrounding lush pines as a warm climate substitutes for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
If these predictable parts coalesce into an entertaining watch hinges on the execution and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – those people who browse regularly for pet content. It provides a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the dog, and though it results in some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, pet moping, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Human Element
This level of success cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach vacillates between emotional depth, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, failing to master a single genre. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe required by the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. The character seems a touch too detached, notably when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, the canine performer succeeds in looking despondent – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to give weight to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, considering the dog is by far the best part of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their original breakup might seem more adult and realistic with less exposition and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – but it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video on December 10th.
