It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that jointly caring for a dog after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such setups prevent former couples from finding closure, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating across the board. As it turns out, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to feel down.
While respecting the emotional well-being of dogs – many owners attest to their remarkable empathy. If you need prime example in dog sorrow, one need only look another performance. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog played by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to divided living arrangements. If this concept a full holiday film on this conflict is sustainable seems a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than a light film. This is a holiday release from a corporate studio – the ambitions remains surface-level. The narrative proves to be uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will presumably realize the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – featuring a group of comedic actors – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually has the quality of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – think obvious snow effects piled on verdant foliage as a warm climate doubles as a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these standard ingredients come together into a pleasant experience rests upon the execution and an acceptance of easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who seek out for cute animal clips. The film delivers a plethora of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the canine star, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on canine party antics, pet moping, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach vacillates between serious study, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a consistent feel. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the silliness and cringe required by the bizarre setting. His performance contains a charming humility that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna can feel a touch too detached, especially when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog manages acting depressed – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, considering Merv is undoubtedly the best part of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their original breakup might seem more grounded and mature with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting every expected note. Making a film with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – though I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform this December.
