It is a common warning for numerous people that jointly caring for a canine companion post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such situations hinder former couples from healing, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for all parties. Apparently, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to feel down.
While respecting the mental health of our pets – countless people attest to their profound sensitivity. For a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, simply recall another performance. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult coping with life in two homes. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom around this situation is sustainable remains rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of director Swale, never aspires to be more profound than a light film. It functions as a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the complexity are modest. The narrative is destined to be simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – featuring a group of comedic actors – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – exemplified by obvious snow effects clinging to green trees as North Carolina stands in for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these standard ingredients merge into a pleasant experience hinges on the execution and an acceptance of easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who browse regularly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness does not extend for the romantic plot. The tone shifts uneasily between emotional depth, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, not quite landing a consistent feel. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny required by the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a charming humility that offers much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna can feel a little too aloof, notably when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, the canine performer is convincing at looking despondent – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a very good boy.)
Merv tries to add substance to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, given that Merv is by far the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their original breakup could have been more adult and realistic with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie with this canine conflict has potential – even if it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video this December.
