This is a common warning in certain circles that jointly caring for a pet after a breakup is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such setups impede former couples from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for all parties. Seemingly, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Not to downplay the inner life of our pets – countless people observe their remarkable empathy. For a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, simply recall another performance. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by Gus the Dog, would struggle coping with divided living arrangements. If this concept a feature-length romcom around this situation works effectively remains rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and helmed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than its premise. This is a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the ambitions remains surface-level. The narrative is destined to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will surely realize the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by flurries clinging to verdant foliage as a summer location substitutes for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
How these familiar elements coalesce into an entertaining watch rests upon the actors' work and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – individuals who seek out for pet content. Audiences receive a plethora of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the canine star, and though it results in some clunky cuts between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie does offer walking sequences, dog depression, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
The same praise is not earned for the interpersonal drama. Its style vacillates between relationship drama, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, failing to master a single genre. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward demanded of the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a charming humility that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her Anna can feel a little too aloof, particularly when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, the canine performer succeeds in acting depressed – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to add substance to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, given that the title character is by far the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The cause for their original breakup would feel more adult and realistic with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling all its marks. Making a film about dog co-parenting has potential – even if it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
