This is a common warning among many that sharing custody a pet after a breakup is a terrible idea. Most will argue such situations hinder former couples from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. As it turns out, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to experience sadness.
While respecting the mental health of dogs – countless people observe their remarkable empathy. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, consider another performance. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to split households. If this concept a feature-length romcom on this conflict is sustainable seems debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than a light film. We have here a holiday release from a corporate studio – the complexity is limited. The narrative unfolds as uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – including a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – as seen in fake snow clinging to lush pines as a warm climate stands in for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
If these predictable parts merge into an entertaining watch rests upon the strength of the performances and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who browse regularly for cute animal clips. It provides a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the canine star, and while this leads to some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise does not extend for the human side of the story. The tone wavers between relationship drama, broad humor, predictable love story, and physical comedy, not quite landing any one mode. This is not Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny required by the bizarre setting. He brings a charming humility that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. The character comes across as a touch too detached, notably when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, the canine performer is convincing at flopping and whining – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, considering Merv is easily the cutest element of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for the split might seem more nuanced with less exposition and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story with this canine conflict is not terrible – even if it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video this December.
