This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that jointly caring for a dog after a breakup is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such situations hinder ex-partners from moving forward, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. Apparently, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to experience sadness.
While respecting the inner life of our pets – many owners attest to their profound sensitivity. To witness a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, consider a past film. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on this conflict is sustainable remains rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than its premise. It functions as a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity remains surface-level. The plot proves to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they are better together. Side characters – featuring a group of comedic actors – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic has the quality of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by obvious snow effects surrounding verdant foliage as North Carolina doubles as a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these predictable parts coalesce into an entertaining watch hinges on the execution and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who seek out for cute animal clips. It provides a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the dog, and even if it causes some stilted moments between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, dog depression, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The tone wavers between relationship drama, zany antics, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, not quite landing a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is fully game the humiliating and funny demanded of the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that provides much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. The character can feel a bit too dry, especially when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, the canine performer manages flopping and whining – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a very good boy.)
Merv tries to give weight to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, since Merv is easily the cutest element of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The cause for their separation would feel more grounded and mature with more screen time and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – though it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Prime Video on December 10th.
