It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that jointly caring for a canine companion following a split is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such arrangements prevent former couples from healing, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and become annoying across the board. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to become depressed.
Not to downplay the inner life of dogs – many owners observe their deep emotional capacity. If you need standout portrayal in dog sorrow, simply recall another performance. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to life in two homes. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on this conflict is sustainable seems debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than a light film. It functions as a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the depth remains surface-level. The plot proves to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – exemplified by flurries clinging to verdant foliage as a warm climate stands in for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these familiar elements merge into an entertaining watch rests upon the strength of the performances and an acceptance of comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – the kind who browse regularly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is Merv himself, and even if it causes some stilted moments between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, pet moping, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success does not extend for the interpersonal drama. Its style vacillates between relationship drama, broad humor, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a consistent feel. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny required by the unusual premise. He brings a endearing lack of ego that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal comes across as a little too aloof, notably when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog succeeds in acting depressed – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a very good boy.)
Merv tries to add substance to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, since the dog is by far the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their original breakup might seem more adult and realistic with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting every expected note. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – even if it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video this December.
