It is a common warning for numerous people that jointly caring for a pet after a breakup is ill-advised. Most will argue such situations prevent individuals from moving forward, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and become annoying for everyone involved. As it turns out, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes our furry friends to become depressed.
Without minimizing the inner life of animals – countless people observe their remarkable empathy. To witness a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, simply recall another performance. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adjusting to life in two homes. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on this conflict is sustainable is a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, the work of the writing duo and helmed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than what it is. It functions as a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity is limited. The plot unfolds as uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – played by familiar faces – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – exemplified by flurries clinging to lush pines as North Carolina doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these standard ingredients coalesce into a pleasant experience depends on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – the kind who seek out for dog videos. The film delivers a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the canine star, and while this leads to some awkward editing between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on walking sequences, dog depression, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
The same praise is not earned for the human side of the story. Its style vacillates between relationship drama, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, not quite landing a consistent feel. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the humiliating and funny required by the unusual premise. His performance contains a charming humility that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna comes across as a touch too detached, notably when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, the canine performer manages acting depressed – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a very good boy.)
The film attempts to give weight to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, given that Merv is undoubtedly the best part of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their separation could have been more adult and realistic with more screen time and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – but I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
