It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that jointly caring for a canine companion following a split is ill-advised. Most will argue such setups prevent former couples from finding closure, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and become annoying across the board. Apparently, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it also makes our furry friends to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the mental health of dogs – countless people attest to their deep emotional capacity. To witness a masterclass in canine melancholy, one need only look a past film. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog played by the canine actor Gus, would struggle coping with split households. If this concept a full holiday film on such a setup is sustainable seems a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than a light film. We have here a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity is limited. The plot proves to be uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they are better together. Side characters – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – exemplified by obvious snow effects piled on lush pines as a warm climate stands in for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
How these standard ingredients come together into a pleasant experience rests upon the execution and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who scroll endlessly for dog videos. The film delivers a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the dog, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between animal action and human reaction, the movie does offer dog beach fun, dog depression, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the romantic plot. Its style vacillates between emotional depth, broad humor, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, failing to master a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is fully game the silliness and cringe required by the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal seems a bit too dry, particularly when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, the canine performer manages looking despondent – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still an excellent dog.)
The story strives to give weight to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, considering the title character is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their original breakup might seem more nuanced with less exposition and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – though it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
