It is a common warning for numerous people that sharing custody a dog after a breakup is a terrible idea. Most will argue such setups prevent former couples from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and become annoying across the board. Apparently, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to become depressed.
While respecting the inner life of animals – pet parents observe their deep emotional capacity. For a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, simply recall a past film. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time coping with split households. If this concept a feature-length romcom on this conflict works effectively seems a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than a light film. It functions as a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity remains surface-level. Its storyline proves to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – played by a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – as seen in flurries clinging to green trees as North Carolina stands in for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these standard ingredients come together into a pleasant experience depends on the execution and an acceptance of easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a plethora of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the dog, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, in the end, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The tone wavers between relationship drama, zany antics, predictable love story, and physical comedy, failing to master a consistent feel. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward inherent in the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a charming humility that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. The character comes across as a touch too detached, notably when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog succeeds in acting depressed – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to give weight to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, since the dog is easily the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their separation would feel more nuanced with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – though I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
