This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that jointly caring for a pet after a breakup is ill-advised. Most will argue such situations hinder ex-partners from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. As it turns out, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
While respecting the emotional well-being of our pets – many owners observe their profound sensitivity. If you need standout portrayal in canine melancholy, consider a past film. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog played by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle coping with divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom around this situation works effectively seems debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of director Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than a light film. We have here a holiday release from a corporate studio – the complexity is limited. The narrative unfolds as straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – including a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – as seen in obvious snow effects surrounding lush pines as a summer location substitutes for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
If these familiar elements coalesce into an entertaining watch hinges on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – those people who scroll endlessly for dog videos. Audiences receive a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the canine star, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie delivers on canine party antics, dog depression, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness does not extend for the romantic plot. Its style vacillates between emotional depth, broad humor, formulaic romance, and silly gags, never fully committing to any one mode. This is not Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny demanded of the bizarre setting. He brings a charming humility that provides much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal comes across as a little too aloof, notably when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Merv himself succeeds in looking despondent – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a very good boy.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, considering the dog is undoubtedly the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their separation could have been more grounded and mature with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling every expected note. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – even if it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
