It is a common warning for numerous people that jointly caring for a canine companion after a breakup is ill-advised. Most will argue such arrangements hinder individuals from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and become annoying across the board. Seemingly, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of our pets – countless people observe their profound sensitivity. If you need prime example in dog sorrow, one need only look a past film. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type played by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adjusting to life in two homes. The idea of basing a full holiday film on such a setup is sustainable remains rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than a light film. It functions as a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions is limited. The plot unfolds as uncomplicated: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – played by a group of comedic actors – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look has the quality of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – as seen in obvious snow effects clinging to verdant foliage as a warm climate stands in for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
How these familiar elements coalesce into a pleasant experience rests upon the strength of the performances and one's taste for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who scroll endlessly for dog videos. Audiences receive a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the canine star, and while this leads to some stilted moments between animal action and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, dog depression, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success does not extend for the human side of the story. Its style wavers between serious study, zany antics, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, failing to master a consistent feel. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the absurd and awkward demanded of the dog resort scenario. He brings a endearing lack of ego that supplies much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna can feel a touch too detached, notably when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, the canine performer is convincing at looking despondent – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, given that Merv is easily the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for the split would feel more nuanced with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting all its marks. Making a film with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – though I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
