This is a widely held belief among many that jointly caring for a pet following a split is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such arrangements impede former couples from finding closure, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and become annoying for all parties. Seemingly, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to become depressed.
Without minimizing the inner life of dogs – countless people observe their remarkable empathy. If you need prime example in canine melancholy, simply recall another performance. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to life in two homes. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on such a setup holds water seems debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and directed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than a light film. This is a holiday release from a corporate studio – the complexity is limited. The narrative proves to be straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they are better together. Side characters – played by familiar faces – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – exemplified by obvious snow effects surrounding green trees as a summer location doubles as the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
If these standard ingredients coalesce into something enjoyable hinges on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who seek out for cute animal clips. It provides a series of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the dog, and though it results in some clunky cuts between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie does offer dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The tone wavers between serious study, zany antics, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, failing to master a single genre. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the silliness and cringe demanded of the dog resort scenario. He brings a endearing lack of ego that provides much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal can feel a little too aloof, notably when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Gus the Dog is convincing at looking despondent – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, since Merv is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their separation would feel more nuanced with less exposition and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling every expected note. Making a film with this canine conflict is not terrible – though it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
