It is a widely held belief in certain circles that jointly caring for a dog after a breakup is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such setups hinder ex-partners from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and are a nuisance across the board. Apparently, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of dogs – many owners attest to their remarkable empathy. If you need standout portrayal in canine melancholy, consider a past film. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by Gus the Dog, would struggle adapting to life in two homes. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom around this situation works effectively is debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, written by the writing duo and helmed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than a light film. It functions as a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions remains surface-level. The plot is destined to be straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – featuring familiar faces – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look has the quality of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by obvious snow effects surrounding verdant foliage as North Carolina doubles as the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
How these familiar elements come together into a pleasant experience depends on the execution and one's taste for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who seek out for dog videos. Audiences receive a plethora of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is Merv himself, and though it results in some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie does offer dog beach fun, dog depression, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
The same praise does not extend for the human side of the story. Its style wavers between emotional depth, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, failing to master a consistent feel. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny demanded of the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that provides much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal comes across as a touch too detached, notably when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Gus the Dog is convincing at looking despondent – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, considering Merv is easily the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their original breakup might seem more nuanced with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film about dog co-parenting is not terrible – but I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform this December.
