This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that jointly caring for a pet after a breakup is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such setups hinder former couples from healing, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Seemingly, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to become depressed.
Without minimizing the mental health of our pets – countless people attest to their profound sensitivity. To witness a prime example in canine melancholy, consider another performance. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult coping with life in two homes. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on this conflict is sustainable is debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than its premise. This is a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity remains surface-level. The plot proves to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will presumably realize the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – featuring a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. The film's look is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – exemplified by fake snow surrounding lush pines as a summer location stands in for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these familiar elements coalesce into a pleasant experience depends on the execution and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – individuals who browse regularly for pet content. It provides a series of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and even if it causes some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, dog depression, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness is not earned for the romantic plot. The film's approach vacillates between emotional depth, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a consistent feel. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe required by the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a charming humility that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. The character comes across as a touch too detached, particularly when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Merv himself is convincing at flopping and whining – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to give weight to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, since the dog is by far the best part of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for the split would feel more grounded and mature with more screen time and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – but it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
