This is a common warning in certain circles that co-parenting a pet after a breakup is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such situations impede former couples from moving forward, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. Seemingly, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to become depressed.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of our pets – countless people speak of their deep emotional capacity. If you need prime example in pet despair, one need only look another performance. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adjusting to life in two homes. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on this conflict is sustainable seems a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than what it is. It functions as a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions remains surface-level. The narrative unfolds as uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – think flurries clinging to lush pines as North Carolina substitutes for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these predictable parts coalesce into a pleasant experience depends on the execution and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – individuals who seek out for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the dog, and though it results in some clunky cuts between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie delivers on canine party antics, pet moping, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness is not earned for the romantic plot. The tone shifts uneasily between relationship drama, zany antics, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, failing to master a consistent feel. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe required by the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a charming humility that supplies much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. The character seems a bit too dry, particularly when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog is convincing at acting depressed – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a very good boy.)
The film attempts to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, since the dog is undoubtedly the best part of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The cause for their separation might seem more nuanced with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story with this canine conflict has potential – though it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform this December.
