This is a widely held belief in certain circles that jointly caring for a dog following a split is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such setups prevent individuals from healing, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and prove frustrating across the board. Seemingly, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to feel down.
Not to downplay the inner life of our pets – many owners speak of their profound sensitivity. For a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, consider recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog portrayed by Gus the Dog, would struggle coping with split households. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on this conflict holds water is rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than what it is. We have here a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the complexity is limited. The narrative unfolds as simple and direct: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will surely rediscover the idea that they are better together. Side characters – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Visually carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – as seen in flurries clinging to verdant foliage as a warm climate stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these predictable parts merge into something enjoyable depends on the strength of the performances and one's taste for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – the kind who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. It provides a series of scenes focused on the pet. 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 succeeds in showing walking sequences, pet moping, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
This level of success does not extend for the romantic plot. The tone vacillates between relationship drama, broad humor, predictable love story, and physical comedy, not quite landing any one mode. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward demanded of the bizarre setting. His performance contains a charming humility that offers much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna can feel a bit too dry, notably when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog is convincing at acting depressed – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The film attempts to give weight to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, since Merv is by far the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their original breakup could have been more grounded and mature with less exposition and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story with this canine conflict has potential – but it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video this December.
