It is a widely held belief for numerous people that jointly caring for a dog after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such situations prevent former couples from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. As it turns out, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to feel down.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of dogs – many owners observe their profound sensitivity. If you need masterclass in dog sorrow, consider recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle coping with life in two homes. If this concept a feature-length romcom around this situation works effectively seems rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than its premise. This is a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions are modest. Its storyline proves to be straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – exemplified by obvious snow effects piled on lush pines as a summer location doubles as a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
How these familiar elements merge into an entertaining watch hinges on the actors' work and an acceptance of easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who seek out for cute animal clips. It provides a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the canine star, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness does not extend for the human side of the story. Its style vacillates between relationship drama, broad humor, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, failing to master a consistent feel. This is not Cox's performance, who is fully game the absurd and awkward demanded of the bizarre setting. His performance contains a charming humility that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. The character can feel a touch too detached, especially when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, the canine performer is convincing at flopping and whining – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a very good boy.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, considering the dog is easily the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their original breakup might seem more adult and realistic with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie with this canine conflict is not terrible – even if it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Prime Video starting December 10.
