This is a widely held belief for numerous people that jointly caring for a pet after a breakup is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such setups impede individuals from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and become annoying for all parties. As it turns out, in a revelation worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to become depressed.
While respecting the mental health of dogs – pet parents observe their deep emotional capacity. To witness 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 played by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adapting to split households. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom around this situation is sustainable is rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by its screenwriters and under the guidance of director Swale, never aspires to be deeper than what it is. This is a holiday release from a corporate studio – the depth are modest. The plot proves to be straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will presumably realize the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – played by a group of comedic actors – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – think obvious snow effects piled on green trees as a warm climate substitutes for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these predictable parts come together into an entertaining watch depends on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – those people who browse regularly for dog videos. Audiences receive a plethora of adorable dog montages. 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 delivers on dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness is not earned for the human side of the story. The tone wavers between relationship drama, zany antics, predictable love story, and physical comedy, failing to master a consistent feel. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe inherent in the unusual premise. His performance contains a charming humility that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. The character can feel a touch too detached, particularly when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Merv himself manages looking despondent – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to add substance to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, since Merv is by far the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The reason for their separation would feel more adult and realistic with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie with this canine conflict is not terrible – but it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
