This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that jointly caring for a canine companion after a breakup is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such setups hinder former couples from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and become annoying across the board. As it turns out, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to become depressed.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of animals – countless people speak of their profound sensitivity. To witness a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, consider another performance. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by Gus the Dog, would struggle adjusting to split households. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on this conflict is sustainable seems debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of director Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than a light film. We have here a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the depth are modest. The plot is destined to be uncomplicated: former spouses 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 surely realize the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – featuring a group of comedic actors – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Visually carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – exemplified by flurries surrounding verdant foliage as a warm climate stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these standard ingredients come together into an entertaining watch rests upon the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – those people who browse regularly for dog videos. The film delivers a wealth of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the canine star, and even if it causes some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie does offer dog beach fun, dog depression, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise does not extend for the human side of the story. Its style vacillates between relationship drama, broad humor, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, not quite landing a single genre. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe inherent in the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna comes across as a bit too dry, notably when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog manages acting depressed – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to provide depth to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, since the dog is by far the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their separation would feel more grounded and mature with more screen time and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, meeting all its marks. Making a film on this shared-custody premise has potential – even if I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
