This is a widely held belief among many that jointly caring for a pet post-separation is ill-advised. Most will argue such situations impede ex-partners from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and are a nuisance across the board. As it turns out, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the mental health of animals – countless people attest to their deep emotional capacity. If you need prime example in pet despair, one need only look a past film. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by Gus the Dog, would struggle adjusting to life in two homes. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on such a setup is sustainable is debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than its premise. This is a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions are modest. Its storyline is destined to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will surely realize the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by obvious snow effects piled on lush pines as North Carolina substitutes for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these standard ingredients coalesce into something enjoyable rests upon the strength of the performances and one's taste for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who scroll endlessly for dog videos. Audiences receive a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the dog, and though it results in some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise is not earned for the romantic plot. Its style shifts uneasily between relationship drama, zany antics, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a single genre. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the humiliating and funny required by the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. The character can feel a little too aloof, especially when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog is convincing at flopping and whining – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, since the dog is easily the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their original breakup could have been more adult and realistic with more screen time and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling every expected note. Making a film about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – even if it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video this December.
