It is a common warning among many that jointly caring for a canine companion after a breakup is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such arrangements impede ex-partners from moving forward, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance across the board. As it turns out, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to feel down.
Without minimizing the inner life of our pets – pet parents attest to their profound sensitivity. For a masterclass in dog sorrow, consider recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by Gus the Dog, would struggle coping with life in two homes. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom around this situation is sustainable remains rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than a light film. It functions as a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the complexity is limited. The plot unfolds as uncomplicated: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic has the quality of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – exemplified by fake snow clinging to lush pines as a summer location substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these predictable parts coalesce into something enjoyable hinges on the actors' work and an acceptance of easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who browse regularly for pet content. The film delivers a plethora of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is Merv himself, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, pet moping, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
The same praise cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The film's approach wavers between relationship drama, zany antics, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a single genre. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny required by the bizarre setting. His performance contains 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, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna seems a bit too dry, particularly when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Gus the Dog succeeds in looking despondent – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a very good boy.)
Merv tries to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, since the dog is easily the best part of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their original breakup could have been more nuanced with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling every expected note. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting has potential – but it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
