It is a common warning in certain circles that sharing custody a pet after a breakup is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such setups hinder former couples from finding closure, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Apparently, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to become depressed.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of animals – pet parents observe their deep emotional capacity. To witness a prime example in pet despair, consider a past film. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adjusting to split households. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on this conflict works effectively remains rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by the writing duo and directed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than a light film. It functions as a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions is limited. The narrative proves to be straightforward: 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 uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – exemplified by fake snow piled on green trees as a warm climate doubles as a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
If these predictable parts come together into a pleasant experience depends on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who browse regularly for pet content. The film delivers a series of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the dog, and though it results in some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie does offer dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The tone shifts uneasily between relationship drama, zany antics, predictable love story, and physical comedy, failing to master a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe inherent in the dog resort scenario. He brings a charming humility that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. The character comes across as a little too aloof, notably when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, the canine performer is convincing at flopping and whining – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to add substance to the central romance 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 meets the bare minimum. The reason for their original breakup might seem more adult and realistic with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling all its marks. Making a film with this canine conflict is not terrible – even if it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video this December.
