It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that sharing custody a pet after a breakup is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such arrangements hinder individuals from healing, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and are a nuisance across the board. Seemingly, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to experience sadness.
While respecting the emotional well-being of dogs – countless people attest to their profound sensitivity. If you need prime example in pet despair, consider another performance. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adapting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on this conflict holds water remains debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, written by its screenwriters and helmed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than what it is. This is a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity is limited. The narrative proves to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – including familiar faces – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. The film's look is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – think obvious snow effects clinging to verdant foliage as a summer location doubles as a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
How these familiar elements come together into something enjoyable rests upon the execution and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who browse regularly for dog videos. The film delivers a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the dog, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie does offer dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Human Element
The same praise cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The film's approach vacillates between serious study, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, failing to master a single genre. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is fully game the silliness and cringe required by the bizarre setting. He brings a likable self-deprecation that offers much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna can feel a little too aloof, particularly when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Merv himself is convincing at looking despondent – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, given that the dog is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The cause for their original breakup would feel more nuanced with less exposition and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie with this canine conflict is not terrible – though it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform this December.
