It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that jointly caring for a pet after a breakup is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such setups impede individuals from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and become annoying for all parties. As it turns out, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Without minimizing the mental health of dogs – many owners observe their remarkable empathy. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, consider a past film. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog played by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle coping with split households. Whether this premise a full holiday film on such a setup works effectively is a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, written by its screenwriters and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than its premise. This is a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity are modest. Its storyline unfolds as uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will surely realize the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – including 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 holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – think obvious snow effects piled on verdant foliage as a summer location stands in for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
If these standard ingredients come together into an entertaining watch hinges on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – those people who browse regularly for pet content. Audiences receive a series of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the canine star, and even if it causes some awkward editing between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie does offer dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
The same praise cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The tone vacillates between relationship drama, broad humor, formulaic romance, and silly gags, never fully committing to a consistent feel. This is not Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny required by the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a charming humility that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal comes across as a touch too detached, notably when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, the canine performer is convincing at looking despondent – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a very good boy.)
Merv tries to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, given that Merv is by far the best part of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their separation might seem more adult and realistic with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling every expected note. Creating a movie with this canine conflict has potential – though I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
