This is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that jointly caring for a canine companion following a split is a terrible idea. Most will argue such arrangements impede ex-partners from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and become annoying across the board. Apparently, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the mental health of dogs – countless people attest to their remarkable empathy. If you need standout portrayal in dog sorrow, consider another performance. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time coping with split households. Whether this premise a full holiday film on such a setup works effectively remains a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by 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 is limited. The narrative unfolds as simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – featuring familiar faces – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually has the quality of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – think fake snow surrounding green trees as a summer location substitutes for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
How these standard ingredients come together into an entertaining watch hinges on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – individuals who scroll endlessly for dog videos. It provides a wealth of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the canine star, and even if it causes some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie delivers on canine party antics, pet moping, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. Its style wavers between relationship drama, broad humor, predictable love story, and silly gags, failing to master a single genre. This is not Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny required by the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a charming humility that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. The character comes across as a little too aloof, particularly when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog manages acting depressed – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a very good boy.)
The film attempts to give weight to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, since Merv is undoubtedly the best part of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their original breakup could have been more grounded and mature with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie with this canine conflict has potential – but it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video this December.
