This is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that jointly caring for a dog following a split is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such setups prevent former couples from finding closure, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance across the board. Apparently, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to experience sadness.
While respecting the inner life of our pets – many owners observe their profound sensitivity. If you need standout portrayal in dog sorrow, one need only look recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog played by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adjusting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on such a setup holds water remains debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than a light film. We have here a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity remains surface-level. The narrative is destined to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – featuring a group of comedic actors – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – exemplified by flurries piled on verdant foliage as a summer location substitutes for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
How these standard ingredients merge into a pleasant experience depends on the actors' work and an acceptance of easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who seek out for pet content. It provides a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the canine star, and though it results in some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Human Element
This level of success cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The tone shifts uneasily between serious study, broad humor, formulaic romance, and silly gags, not quite landing any one mode. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny required by the bizarre setting. His performance contains a charming humility that provides much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal comes across as a little too aloof, notably when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog succeeds in looking despondent – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to give weight to the central romance for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, considering the title character is by far the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The cause for the split would feel more adult and realistic with less exposition and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Making a film with this canine conflict has potential – even if it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform this December.
