It is a widely held belief among many that jointly caring for a canine companion post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such setups hinder former couples from moving forward, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and are a nuisance across the board. Seemingly, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to feel down.
Not to downplay the inner life of animals – pet parents speak of their profound sensitivity. If you need standout portrayal in dog sorrow, consider a past film. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type played by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle coping with split households. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on this conflict is sustainable seems rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of director Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than a light film. It functions as a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth is limited. The plot unfolds as uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – played by familiar faces – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Visually has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – think obvious snow effects clinging to verdant foliage as a summer location doubles as a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
How these standard ingredients come together into an entertaining watch rests upon the execution and one's taste for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who scroll endlessly for pet content. The film delivers a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the dog, and though it results in some stilted moments between animal action and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, dog depression, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
This level of success cannot be applied for the romantic plot. Its style wavers between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a single genre. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe demanded of the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. The character can feel a touch too detached, notably when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog manages looking despondent – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, considering the dog is by far the best part of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their separation would feel more nuanced with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film about dog co-parenting has potential – even if it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Prime Video this December.
