This is a widely held belief in certain circles that jointly caring for a pet following a split is a terrible idea. Most will argue such arrangements impede former couples from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and become annoying for everyone involved. Apparently, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to feel down.
While respecting the inner life of our pets – countless people observe their deep emotional capacity. For a prime example in canine melancholy, consider recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time coping with divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on such a setup works effectively remains debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and helmed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than a light film. It functions as a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the depth is limited. The plot unfolds as straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will surely rediscover the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as the usual assortment of types. Visually carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – as seen in flurries surrounding lush pines as a summer location stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these standard ingredients coalesce into a pleasant experience hinges on the actors' work and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – those people who browse regularly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the canine star, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between animal action and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, in the end, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The film's approach wavers between emotional depth, broad humor, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, not quite landing any one mode. This is not Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe inherent in the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that offers much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. The character comes across as a little too aloof, particularly when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog is convincing at flopping and whining – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a very good boy.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, considering the dog is easily the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The reason for the split could have been more adult and realistic with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling all its marks. Making a film about dog co-parenting is not terrible – even if it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform this December.
