It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that jointly caring for a pet after a breakup is ill-advised. Most will argue such arrangements prevent individuals from healing, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and become annoying for everyone involved. As it turns out, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of our pets – many owners speak of their profound sensitivity. If you need prime example in dog sorrow, simply recall a past film. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type played by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to split households. If this concept a feature-length romcom on such a setup is sustainable seems debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than a light film. It functions as a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity remains surface-level. The plot unfolds as straightforward: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will presumably realize the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic has the quality of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – think flurries piled on green trees as a warm climate stands in for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
If these standard ingredients come together into an entertaining watch rests upon the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who scroll endlessly for pet content. It provides a plethora of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the canine star, and even if it causes some awkward editing between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness is not earned for the human side of the story. The film's approach vacillates between serious study, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a consistent feel. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward demanded of the bizarre setting. He brings a charming humility that offers much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal seems a touch too detached, notably when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, the canine performer succeeds in looking despondent – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains an excellent dog.)
The story strives to add substance to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, considering the dog is undoubtedly the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The reason for their separation would feel more adult and realistic with less exposition and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling all its marks. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting is not terrible – even if it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform this December.
