It is a widely held belief for numerous people that jointly caring for a dog following a split is ill-advised. Most will argue such situations impede former couples from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and become annoying for all parties. Apparently, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the inner life of dogs – countless people observe their profound sensitivity. For a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, simply recall another performance. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adjusting to life in two homes. If this concept a full holiday film around this situation works effectively is rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than a light film. It functions as a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth are modest. The plot is destined 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 surpassed by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – played by a group of comedic actors – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Visually carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – as seen in fake snow surrounding verdant foliage as a warm climate doubles as the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these predictable parts coalesce into a pleasant experience rests upon the actors' work and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who seek out for dog videos. The film delivers a series of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the canine star, and while this leads to some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie does offer dog beach fun, dog depression, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness does not extend for the human side of the story. Its style vacillates between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, not quite landing any one mode. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny demanded of the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal comes across as a little too aloof, particularly when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog manages flopping and whining – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to add substance to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, since Merv is easily the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their original breakup could have been more nuanced with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, hitting every expected note. Creating a movie with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – even if it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
