It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that jointly caring for a pet post-separation is ill-advised. Most will argue such setups hinder ex-partners from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and become annoying for everyone involved. As it turns out, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to feel down.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of animals – pet parents attest to their profound sensitivity. To witness a masterclass in pet despair, one need only look another performance. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time coping with divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom around this situation is sustainable is a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, written by its screenwriters and directed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than its premise. We have here a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions are modest. The plot is destined to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will surely realize the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually has the quality of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – as seen in fake snow surrounding green trees as North Carolina stands in for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
How these standard ingredients coalesce into something enjoyable rests upon the strength of the performances and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who browse regularly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a plethora of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the canine star, and though it results in some awkward editing between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie does offer walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness is not earned for the human side of the story. The tone shifts uneasily between emotional depth, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, failing to master a consistent feel. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward inherent in the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal seems a little too aloof, notably when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, the canine performer is convincing at acting depressed – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, given that Merv is by far the cutest element of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for the split could have been more grounded and mature with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling all its marks. Crafting a story with this canine conflict has potential – though it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform this December.
