This is a widely held belief in certain circles that jointly caring for a pet after a breakup is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such setups prevent former couples from healing, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and become annoying across the board. As it turns out, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Not to downplay the mental health of animals – many owners speak of their remarkable empathy. To witness a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, simply recall another performance. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adapting to divided living arrangements. If this concept a feature-length romcom on such a setup holds water remains a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than a light film. This is a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity remains surface-level. Its storyline proves to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – including familiar faces – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – as seen in obvious snow effects piled on verdant foliage as a warm climate substitutes for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these standard ingredients come together into an entertaining watch rests upon the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – those people who seek out for cute animal clips. It provides a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the dog, and though it results in some awkward editing between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie does offer dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness is not earned for the romantic plot. The tone shifts uneasily between relationship drama, broad humor, predictable love story, and silly gags, never fully committing to a single genre. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe required by the bizarre setting. His performance contains a charming humility that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. The character can feel a bit too dry, particularly when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog succeeds in looking despondent – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains an excellent dog.)
The story strives to give weight to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, given that the dog is undoubtedly the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for the split could have been more adult and realistic with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Making a film with this canine conflict is not terrible – but I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
