It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that jointly caring for a pet after a breakup is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such arrangements prevent ex-partners from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and become annoying for all parties. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of dogs – pet parents observe their profound sensitivity. For a prime example in canine melancholy, one need only look recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by Gus the Dog, would struggle adjusting to life in two homes. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on such a setup is sustainable seems rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by the writing duo and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than what it is. This is a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions are modest. Its storyline proves to be simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will presumably realize the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look is reminiscent of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – exemplified by fake snow piled on verdant foliage as a warm climate doubles as the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
How these standard ingredients merge into an entertaining watch rests upon the execution and one's taste for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. It provides a series of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the canine star, and while this leads to some awkward editing between animal action and people's faces, the movie delivers on canine party antics, dog depression, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
This level of success cannot be applied for the romantic plot. Its style shifts uneasily between relationship drama, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, never fully committing to any one mode. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward required by the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her Anna seems a touch too detached, particularly when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Merv himself manages acting depressed – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains an excellent dog.)
The story strives to give weight to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, considering Merv is easily the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for the split could have been more grounded and mature with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling all its marks. Crafting a story with this canine conflict is not terrible – though I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
