It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that jointly caring for a dog post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such situations prevent former couples from healing, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and become annoying across the board. Apparently, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to become depressed.
While respecting the mental health of dogs – countless people attest to their profound sensitivity. If you need prime example in dog sorrow, consider recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time coping with life in two homes. The idea of basing a full holiday film on such a setup works effectively seems a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, written by its screenwriters and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than its premise. It functions as a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions remains surface-level. The narrative unfolds as uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will surely realize the idea that they are better together. Side characters – played by familiar faces – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. The film's look has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – as seen in fake snow piled on lush pines as a warm climate doubles as a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these predictable parts come together into an entertaining watch depends on the actors' work and one's taste for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who seek out for pet content. The film delivers a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the dog, and though it results in some clunky cuts between animal action and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, dog depression, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness is not earned for the romantic plot. The film's approach shifts uneasily between relationship drama, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, failing to master a consistent feel. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe demanded of the bizarre setting. His performance contains a charming humility that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. The character can feel a bit too dry, notably when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Merv himself manages flopping and whining – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The film attempts to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, considering the dog is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their original breakup might seem more adult and realistic with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting all its marks. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting is not terrible – though it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
