It is a widely held belief for numerous people that co-parenting a pet after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such arrangements prevent former couples from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for all parties. As it turns out, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it also makes our furry friends to experience sadness.
While respecting the mental health of our pets – many owners speak of their remarkable empathy. For a prime example in canine melancholy, one need only look another performance. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle coping with split households. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on such a setup works effectively is debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, the work of the writing duo and under the guidance of director Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than a light film. This is a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity is limited. Its storyline unfolds as simple and direct: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – played by a group of comedic actors – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually has the quality of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – as seen in fake snow clinging to lush pines as a warm climate substitutes for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
If these standard ingredients coalesce into an entertaining watch depends on the actors' work and one's taste for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. It provides a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the dog, and while this leads to some stilted moments between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie does offer dog beach fun, dog depression, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Human Element
This level of success is not earned for the human side of the story. The film's approach shifts uneasily between serious study, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, failing to master a single genre. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny inherent in the bizarre setting. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects 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 vulnerable performance. (On another note, Gus the Dog manages flopping and whining – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, given that the title character is by far the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for the split could have been more grounded and mature with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling every expected note. Making a film with this canine conflict has potential – though it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
