It is a widely held belief among many that sharing custody a dog after a breakup is a terrible idea. Most will argue such arrangements prevent individuals from moving forward, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and are a nuisance across the board. Seemingly, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to become depressed.
While respecting the inner life of animals – pet parents observe their deep emotional capacity. To witness a standout portrayal in pet despair, simply recall a past film. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on this conflict is sustainable seems a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and helmed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than a light film. It functions as a holiday release from a corporate studio – the complexity remains surface-level. Its storyline unfolds as simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – played by familiar faces – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by flurries piled on verdant foliage as a summer location substitutes for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these standard ingredients come together into something enjoyable hinges on the execution and an acceptance of easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who seek out for cute animal clips. The film delivers a plethora of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the canine star, and though it results in some stilted moments between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie does offer walking sequences, dog depression, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The film's approach vacillates between serious study, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, not quite landing a consistent feel. This is not Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe inherent in the dog resort scenario. He brings a endearing lack of ego that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal comes across as a touch too detached, especially when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Merv himself manages looking despondent – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to provide depth to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, considering the dog is undoubtedly the best part of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for the split would feel more nuanced with less exposition and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, meeting every expected note. Crafting a story with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – even if it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video on December 10th.
