It is a widely held belief for numerous people that jointly caring for a pet after a breakup is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such situations hinder ex-partners from healing, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. As it turns out, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to become depressed.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of animals – pet parents observe their remarkable empathy. For a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, consider another performance. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adapting to life in two homes. The idea of basing a full holiday film on such a setup is sustainable is debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than what it is. This is a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the ambitions remains surface-level. Its storyline is destined to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – played by a group of comedic actors – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually is reminiscent of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – as seen in fake snow surrounding verdant foliage as a warm climate stands in for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
If these familiar elements coalesce into an entertaining watch rests upon the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who scroll endlessly for pet content. Audiences receive a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the dog, and though it results in some clunky cuts between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, pet moping, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The tone shifts uneasily between serious study, broad humor, predictable love story, and physical comedy, not quite landing any one mode. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward required by the bizarre setting. His performance contains a charming humility that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her Anna can feel a little too aloof, notably when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Merv himself succeeds in looking despondent – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, since the title character is undoubtedly the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The reason for their original breakup could have been more adult and realistic with less exposition and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling every expected note. Making a film with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – though it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
