This is a widely held belief in certain circles that jointly caring for a pet after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such situations impede individuals from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and become annoying across the board. As it turns out, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it also makes our furry friends to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of dogs – countless people attest to their profound sensitivity. To witness a prime example in canine melancholy, simply recall another performance. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adjusting to split households. If this concept a feature-length romcom on this conflict works effectively seems debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than its premise. It functions as a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth are modest. The plot unfolds as straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will presumably realize the idea that they are better together. Side characters – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as the usual assortment of types. Visually is reminiscent of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – as seen in flurries surrounding green trees as North Carolina stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
If these predictable parts merge into a pleasant experience hinges on the actors' work and an acceptance of comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who seek out for pet content. Audiences receive a series of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie does offer dog beach fun, dog depression, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise does not extend for the romantic plot. The tone wavers between serious study, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, never fully committing to any one mode. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is fully game the silliness and cringe required by the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her Anna can feel a bit too dry, notably when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, the canine performer manages looking despondent – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains an excellent dog.)
The story strives to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, given that the dog is by far the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The reason for the split would feel more grounded and mature with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, hitting every expected note. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – though I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
