It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that jointly caring for a pet following a split is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such situations prevent ex-partners from healing, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and become annoying for all parties. Apparently, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to become depressed.
Not to downplay the inner life of animals – many owners observe their profound sensitivity. To witness a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, one need only look recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adapting to life in two homes. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on such a setup is sustainable remains debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, the work of the writing duo and directed by director Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than what it is. It functions as a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions are modest. The narrative unfolds as straightforward: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will surely rediscover the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – including familiar faces – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – as seen in fake snow piled on lush pines as a summer location stands in for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
If these familiar elements coalesce into a pleasant experience hinges on the actors' work and an acceptance of comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who seek out for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the dog, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, pet moping, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
This level of success cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The film's approach vacillates between serious study, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, failing to master any one mode. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is fully game the absurd and awkward required by the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a charming humility that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal can feel a touch too detached, notably when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Merv himself is convincing at flopping and whining – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, given that the dog is easily the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their separation might seem more grounded and mature with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, hitting every expected note. Crafting a story with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – though I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video this December.
