It is a common warning for numerous people that co-parenting a dog after a breakup is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such setups hinder individuals from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and become annoying for everyone involved. Apparently, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of our pets – pet parents attest to their remarkable empathy. If you need masterclass in dog sorrow, one need only look another performance. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adapting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on such a setup works effectively seems a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of the writing duo and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than its premise. It functions as a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth is limited. Its storyline is destined to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – including familiar faces – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – think flurries clinging to verdant foliage as a summer location substitutes for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
If these standard ingredients coalesce into a pleasant experience rests upon the execution and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who browse regularly for dog videos. Audiences receive a series of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is Merv himself, and though it results in some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie does offer canine party antics, pet moping, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success is not earned for the interpersonal drama. Its style vacillates between emotional depth, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, not quite landing a single genre. This is not Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny inherent in the unusual premise. His performance contains a charming humility that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. The character seems a little too aloof, notably when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, the canine performer succeeds in flopping and whining – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to give weight to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, considering the dog is by far the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their original breakup might seem more grounded and mature with less exposition and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting all its marks. Making a film with this canine conflict is not terrible – though it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video this December.
