This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that jointly caring for a canine companion after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such situations hinder ex-partners from healing, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for all parties. Apparently, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to feel down.
While respecting the emotional well-being of our pets – many owners observe their remarkable empathy. To witness a masterclass in dog sorrow, consider recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time coping with divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom around this situation holds water remains debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and helmed by director Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than what it is. We have here a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth are modest. The plot is destined to be uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they are better together. Side characters – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually has the quality of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by obvious snow effects surrounding green trees as a summer location doubles as the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
If these familiar elements merge into something enjoyable hinges on the execution and an acceptance of comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who browse regularly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a series of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the dog, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between animal action and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
This level of success is not earned for the romantic plot. Its style shifts uneasily between relationship drama, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is fully game the silliness and cringe required by the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her Anna seems a touch too detached, especially when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, the canine performer is convincing at acting depressed – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains an excellent dog.)
The story strives to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, given that the dog is by far the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their separation might seem more adult and realistic with less exposition and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting every expected note. Making a film about dog co-parenting is not terrible – though I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform this December.
